Amy Smotherman-Burgess

Carolina Mudcats manager Matt Raleigh congratulates Chris Coghlan after scoring a run against the Smokies during an evening game on Tuesday at Smokies Park in Kodak.

Amy Smotherman Burgess

Tennessee second baseman Nate Spears makes the throw to first base after getting the forceout on Carolina's Brett Hayes during the Smokies' win Tuesday.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

More Baseball

• Ex-Vols set pace through minor leagues
• 16 newcomers complete first week
• UT baseball schedule announced

Share and Enjoy [?]

SEVIERVILLE - Matt Raleigh is the only former Carolina Mudcat to coach and manage the Southern League team.

While Raleigh wouldn't turn down a chance to join manager Fredi Gonzalez's Florida Marlins staff, working his way to the major leagues isn't his ultimate goal.

"To be honest with you, I do it because I love the game," the 37-year-old said Tuesday before the Tennessee Smokies (20-32) rallied to beat the Mudcats 8-7 at Smokies Park and extend their winning streak to four games. "Wherever it takes me, it'll take me.

"Obviously, the more different positions that I have and the more experience I have, the more doors it may open. Everyone who does this wants to get to the major-league level, otherwise they probably wouldn't do it. (But) that's not my do or die. I love coaching and I love the game of baseball. Who knows? I might go into college baseball."

Like older brother Todd Raleigh, who just completed his first season at the University of Tennessee.

The younger Raleigh, who played at Western Carolina University where he holds the all-time record for home runs, RBIs and hits, has established deep roots in pro ball.

The Catamounts' Hall of Famer spent 10 years as a minor leaguer with six organizations after being drafted in the 14th round by the Montreal Expos. He has worked six years in the Florida Marlins' organization since retiring as a player.

The Swanton, Vt., native was Carolina's hitting coach in 2003. After a two-year absence, Florida re-hired him last December and gave him his first managerial job.

"I've got five little ones - boys (Matthew, 6; Brady 4; Cade, 1) and two girls (Alexis, 10, and Meaghan, 9), so I told the Marlins I wanted to take a couple of years off to stay at home with the kids," he said explaining his sabbatical. "My wife is a busy woman."

Home the past 12 years is Endwell, N.Y., where he met his wife, Michelle, and operates the Raleigh Baseball Institute, an instructional facility.

"It's been good enough to me to where I can do that full-time and make a good living doing it," he said.

The Raleigh brothers are tight. Todd was among the 1,785 in attendance.

They're also competitive. Todd beat Matt in a round of golf at Beaver Brook on Tuesday. The rematch is today at Tennessee National in Loudon.

"I wasn't happy," Matt Raleigh smiled and said. "He got me on the last couple of holes. I had to buy lunch."

Matt Raleigh proudly wears UT paraphernalia and has assisted his brother in recruiting. Charley Thurber, a power hitting outfielder from Elmira (N.Y.) Free Academy will become a Vol freshman this fall thanks to younger brother.

"I knew he needed some help," Matt Raleigh said. "He is a kid I've worked with. He turned down Mississippi State and Florida to go to Tennessee."

Players like Thurber will benefit UT. The Vols had a losing season (27-29) in Todd Raleigh's first year, finished 12-18 in the SEC and failed to advance to the conference tournament.

The Raleigh's have similar styles. They are hard-nosed, no-nonsense guys with passion for the game.

"We gave that game away (Monday) night," Matt said, referring to the Smokies' 6-5 come-from-behind win in 10 innings.

They don't like losing, either.

"I know my brother is not easy to play for," Matt Raleigh said. "Losing is not something he has ever been a part of. It may take him a year or two but he'll turn it around."

Smokies Win: Starter Chris Volstad held Tennessee to a run on five hits over seven innings and Carolina built a 7-1 cushion but the Mudcats' bullpen imploded.

Kyle Reynolds crushed Carlos Martinez's first pitch for a grand slam to cap the Smokies' six-run eighth and Steve Clevenger won it with a bases-loaded single in the ninth off Martinez (1-1).

Matt Craig and Clevenger had two hits each for the Tennessee. Mark Holliman, Darin Downs and Greg Reinhard (1-1) combined for six innings of four-hit relief of Tanner Watson.