Position: Coach

Jan Krueger

Manager

Augusta Athletics 1989-2004

The founder, architect, and fearless leader of the Augusta Athletics, Jan Krueger will forever be remembered for his fiery nature, competitive spirit, and unequivocal dedication to the game of baseball.

Jan was a promising young catcher and pitcher in the late-1970‘s before being rendered a quadriplegic in a swimming accident just days after graduating from Augusta High School.  Krueger’s uniquely determined nature and love of baseball were clearly displayed when less then three years after his accident, he was the driving force behind the founding of what was then known as the Augusta Alumni Team in 1980.

After playing independently through much of the 1980’s, Jan and the Augusta Athletics officially became members of the CRBL and the league’s South Division in 1989.  Their first season was a successful one as they went 9 and 7 and qualified for the WBA.  Over the course of Krueger’s 16-year reign, Augusta developed into a fearsome crew of hard-hitting sluggers and power-armed pitchers.  In total, Jan’s teams won seven Southern Division titles (1992-1995, 1997-1999), captured five CRBL championships (1992,1993,1995,1998,1999), qualified for 15 WBA tournaments (1989,1990, 1992-2004), made six WBA Finals 8’s (1992-1995, 1998, 2002), and proudly claimed one WBA championship (1994).  Augusta’s WBA title in 1994 was the first time since 1953 that a CRBL team had won that elusive prize.

For his managerial league career, Jan ranks 1st in wins with 186, tied for 2nd in games managed with 272, 5th in winning percentage at .684, 2nd in division titles with 7, 2nd in league championships with 5, 2nd in Final 8 appearances with 6, 2nd in WBA wins with 22, and 1st in WBA appearances with 15.

Beyond the numerous championships and countless memories, Jan can forever rest easy knowing that his Augusta Athletics have staked a spot as one of the great franchises in CRBL history.

 

Managerial Record:    G         W        L          Pct.      Division Titles         League CS

(Regular Season)        272      186     86        .684      7                               5

 

(WBA)                   App           G         W        L         Pct.      Final 8’s          WBA CS

                              15             36          22      14        .611      6                      1

 

 

Roger Bergeron

3rd Baseman, Outfielder, Manager

Jim Falls Nosal 1958; Jim Falls Dairymen 1959-60; Jim Falls Cadets 1961-64; Jim Falls Sturgeons 1965-81

Roger “The Duke” Bergeron spent his entire 24-year league career in Jim Falls, using his left-handed stroke to amass one of the more impressive offensive careers in CRBL history.

Piled up 366 hits in 1,257 at-bats for a career average of .291.  Holds league records for career triples with 14 and single-season triples with 5, set in 1968.  Hit over .300 for eight consecutive seasons, starting his tear at a clip of .362 in 1967 and concluding it at .311 in 1974.  Other .300+ season came in 1965, when he hit .333 (20 for 60).  Had 20 or more hits in a season five times, doing so four years in a row from 1967 to 1970.

In 1968, led the newly named CRBL with 72 at-bats, 22 hits, 5 triples, and tied for the lead in RBI’s with 15 for the 14 and 4 WBA qualifying Sturgeons.  Followed that in 1969 with possibly his finest season when he led the league in batting average at .378 (28 for 74), hits with 28, triples with 3, RBI’s with 22, and runs scored with 19.

Steered the ship as manager of the Jim Falls Sturgeons from 1971 to 1979, a nine season period considered to be one of the best eras in franchise history.  Playing at Jim Falls‘ famous field, Roger and the Sturgeons captured a division title and played for the league championship in 1973.  The Bergeron led Jim Falls squad qualified for the WBA three times (1972, 1973, 1975), and made the Final 8 twice (1972 & 1975).

Appeared in eight All-Star games (1961-1965, 1968, 1970,1971).  Elected All-CRBL in 1972.  First player in league history to reach 50 doubles, 300 hits, and 1,000 at-bats in a career.  Retired as the all-time leader in games played, at-bats, hits, singles, doubles, triples, RBI’s, runs scored, walks, and total bases.