Summer 2006 -- Where Are They Now? (And do we really care?)
Ever wonder where the people you used to hang around with in high school or college ended up? Sure you do-- it's natural-- we sometimes think about our old friends and colleagues and haven't the faintest clue as to their location, their physical condition, or whether they're doing hard time in the maximum security prison located in the next state... In the case of most of our former River Rat players, jail time only happens on rare occasions, families are nearby, and welfare checks aren't a reality just yet. Yes, for the most part, our former players are getting along just fine-- just ask them... Rather than bore you with more inane and slightly boring redundant commentary, let's just go ahead and see where everyone is these days, shall we?
Dan Powell, outfielder/pitcher (2001-2004)
Currently Danny lives with his wife and two boys out in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Dan still plays baseball, and was a member of the Blaine Fusion's run at the Class B state championship in August of this year. A regular visitor to the website, we know he'll be a bit disappointed in his missing the Rat Hall of Fame this year, but his status as a part-time player this season pre-empted his eligibility... The River Rats want to thank Dan for all the work he put in over the four seasons he played, and hope he'll stay in touch...
Brandon "Brock" Johnson, outfielder/infielder (2000-2002, part-time '03, '04)
Brock, like a number of other retirees from the Rats, is a recently new father living in Woodbury with his wife Katie and their lovely daughter. Brock has kept himself extremely busy with his parenting, work on the house, and other professional chores related to his Executive Director position with a charity run by his former employer, Dave Anderson (a.k.a. Famous Dave). We miss Brock's effervescent attitude, solid glove, and leadership on the field, but know that he'll be around if we really need him.
Jeff Mutschler, outfielder/pitcher (2001-2003)
Jeff Mutschler, the one-time website professional and all-around great guy who played with the Rats for two plus seasons as a relief pitcher and corner outfielder still works in information technology in the Twin Cities. Having briefly considered moving out of the area to attend grad school in Madison, Jeff thought better of the decision and kept his house in Hudson, where he still lives with his wife and daughters, not far from Grandview Park. This past summer he spent time in France working in a project for his current employer, also taking time to tour the safer parts of Europe with a Euro Rail pass and his wife. We miss his "LaLoosh" body frame, incredible wit, love of the game, and encyclopedic knowledge of baseball and computing around the team and hope to see him whenever he has a free afternoon at a Rats game in 2006.
Chris Reisdorf, catcher (2000-2002)
Reiser, or Quad-zilla, as he was more affectionately known, is working as an investment banker in Woodbury, at the First National Bank on Radio Drive. While he is only in his mid-20's, he's opted to steer clear of baseball as he works 40+ hours a week, plays golf, and generally avoids squatting to save his knees. Truly a rising star on the financial scene, Chris also owns his own place in St. Paul, near one of the more famous Packer Backer bars in the Twin Cities-- Gabe's by the Park. While not ruling out a future return, Chris is unlikely to return to Hudson for anything besides a round of golf at Troy Burne G.C. If you have some money to invest, however, give him a ring, or drop on by his office.
Ken Corbett, infielder (2000)
Kenny "the Jet" Corbett, an avid fan and supporter of the River Rats since his departure after the 2000 season, still lives with his wife and kids in the Hudson area. Formerly a corporate lawyer working across the river at 3M, Ken now enjoys spending his spare time and funds at St. Croix Casino in Turtle Lake playing Texas hold-'em poker. A welcome visitor to the Rat dugout at any time, it's easy to see Ken at home games when he's not busy with one of his own kids. Truly one of the nicest guys (along with Brock Johnson) to ever don the Rat uniform.
Adam Bast, outfielder/coach (2000-2002)
Otherwise known as the "other Bast" for most of his early years, Adam grew into his own as a River Rat player from 2000-2001, opting for partial retirement and coaching in 2002. Adam lives in the nearby village of Burkhardt, Wisconsin with his new wife Amy, and is still working as a sales executive for ER Systems, Inc. of Plymouth, MN. Adam's inimitable style, sexual confidence, and erratic outfielding were hallmark traits displayed for three seasons with the Rats, thankfully ending in 2003 before he would have ended up killing Frenchy over a dispute about bunting. Adam now spends his spare time golfing (he's a very solid golfer), fishing, hunting, and gambling at nearby casinos and Pudge's Bar and Grill. Look for Adam in Hudson within the next decade as he joins the Bast real estate empire as a commercial real estate agent.
John Meyer, outfielder/pitcher/infielder (2000-2004)
"Johnny Ballgame" was the first member of the River Rats to have played on a Frenchy managed team other than Matt Pearson or Jeff Schultz, having joined the ill-fated Phalen Area Lakers in 1994. John's greatest years were spent as a player/manager of the Hudson Rebels during their heydays of the early 1990's. John's contributions during his off-again on-again stints with the Rats are a bit more convoluted, although always colorful and festive. Truly one of the nicest guys to hang around with off the field, he had a tendency to speak freely during games, often times in contradiction to what everybody else thought. John still lives in the Hudson area, working in construction as a general contractor building homes in western Wisconsin. If given the time and date, he's also willing to play or pitch as needed, and will always bail out a friend in need.
Jeremy Dumond, pitcher (2000-2001)
Dr. Doom, as Jeremy was called by some of us back in the early years, has been somewhat of an enigma since he was forced to quit the game following a shoulder injury sustained in May of 2001. Out of the blue, however, we ran into Doom after a practice at Grandview Park this past July. We believe he's still living in or around Hudson, and he may (or may not) be working at Old Home Foods in St. Paul. What we are sure about, however, is that he'd like to return to baseball sometime (perhaps next year) and resume his place in the Rat rotation somewhere. The door is always open, good sir...
To everyone else who played with us over the years, I apologize if you aren't listed here on the website. We'll throw in a blurb or two if we get the chance, or if we remember who you were. Sometimes we forget (especially if you walked off with a uniform), so feel free to drop a line here at the site.
Frenchy