Bethel University Athletics

Brian Raabe’s knowledge, passion and energy has the Bethel University baseball program soaring to new heights in his first two seasons at the helm.

AT BETHEL
• Broke the programs 12-year streak of not appearing in the postseason with back-to-back MIAC playoff appearances
• Won the program's first MIAC Playoff game with 4-2 win over Saint John's University
• 24 wins in 2013 is highest total since the 2004 season (29) and third best in program history
• One of top hitting teams in MIAC in 2012, finishing third in MIAC in batting (.308) and hit the second most home runs (17)
• After fielding .934 in 2011 with 83 errors, the Royals have cut that total all the way down to 56 errors and .957 in 2013

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
• Matt Rowley named All-American and MIAC Most Valuable Player in 2012 as well as a total of five different All-Region teams and named to All-Conference and MIAC All-Defensive Team in both 2012 & 2013
• Rowley led the MIAC in batting average (.427) in 2012, a .127 point jump from the 2011 season
• Four Royals named All-Conference and All-Region in 2012 & 2013
• 2012 graduate Jay Slick signed a professional contract with the River City (Mo.) Rascals of the independent Frontier League
• Infielder Jarad Watts signed with the Rochester Honkers of the Northwoods League following his freshman season in 2013

FOREST LAKE SUCCESS
• Turned the Forest Lake Rangers into one of the state's top perennial contenders in Class AAA in 11 seasons as head coach
• Made three consecutive trips to the state tournament (2009-2011) and four total (2001)
• Helped develop 49 players who went on to play college baseball

CLINICIAN
• Recognized as an excellent teacher of fundamentals and annually speaks at numerous clinics
• The lead hitting instructor for the Minnesota Twins Youth Training Academy
• Play Ball! Minnesota Ambassador for the Minnesota Twins Community Fund

PLAYING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Six-time minor league All-Star
• Won the Triple-A batting title (.351) in 1996
• Career professional batting average of .310, including .332 at Triple-A
• Played under legendary managers Tom Kelly (Minnesota), Lou Piniella (Seattle), Don Baylor (Colorado) and Joe Torre (New York Yankees)
• All-American and All-Big Ten at the University of Minnesota in 1990
• Won the Rod Carew scholarship award
• Member of 1989 Big Ten championship team
• Drafted in 41st round by the Minnesota Twins
• Played in Lions All-Star series in 1986 after senior year at New Ulm High School

"I have known Brian for a long time, as I followed him from New Ulm to the University of Minnesota and throughout the big leagues. Brian had an exceptional amount of passion for the game and I believe he is in his element coaching in the dugout. I have the utmost respect for Brian and believe his tenacity and wisdom will have these players and this team heading in the right direction for years to come."
--Terry Ryan, Minnesota Twins General Manager

"When you put the heart, mind, and desire together like Brian did, you can tell why he was the best player Phil Roof (former Twins AAA manager) ever coached. I never coached him, but I always respected him. I coached against him, but I always thought he was a player that you wanted on your team. He was always a team guy and he will take those great attributes and transfer them over to college - attributes that are necessary in a college setting. Brian Raabe is a coach that I would love my son to play for because he's going to be a quality person, he's not going to put himself above the team, he's not going to have the ego that does sometimes permeate baseball organizations. Brian is a good man."
-- Bill Springman, Hitting Coordinator for Minnesota Twins and former college coach

"When I hear Brian talk about hitting, I think to myself that it could have been words out of my mouth. He knows hitting and how to teach coaches and players, I'm very impressed with how he teaches."
-- Harmon Killebrew, former Minnesota Twin and Hall of Famer

“Coach Raabe believed in me as a player and as a person.  Everyone needs that, whether in work, school, relationships, in all aspects of life. His passion for baseball is contagious and makes it much more exciting and fun to be a part of his team. I never imagined my experience at Bethel would have been so amazing.” 
-- Matt Rowley, 2012 MIAC MVP and Rawlings All-American