MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blount, Butler (38th), Frazier, Horhn, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Norwood, Stone
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO HOUSTON ASTROS COACH DAVE CLARK OF SHANNON HIGH SCHOOL AND A MEMBER OF THE JACKSON STATE HALL OF FAME ON HIS 30-YEAR PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL CAREER AND AS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN MISSISSIPPIAN TO MANAGE IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.
WHEREAS, research indicates that Houston Astros Coach Dave Clark, a graduate of Shannon High School and a member of the Jackson State Hall of Fame, is the first African-American Mississippian to hold a managerial position in Major League Baseball; and
WHEREAS, Dave Clark joined the Astros in 2009 as the Third Base Coach. Clark switched to First Base Coach in 2013. Clark was named Astros Manager on September 21, 2009, replacing Cecil Cooper and managed the Club's final 13 games. In addition to his Major League duty, Clark spent the 2010-2011 off-season managing the Licey Tigers in the Dominican Winter League; and
WHEREAS, prior to joining the Astros Major League coaching staff, Clark spent 6 seasons as a Minor League Manager (2003-2008), winning 2 league titles in that span while twice being named Manager of the Year in his respective league. Clark enjoyed success in his first season managing in 2003, guiding Class A Lynchburg to the Carolina League finals. He was recognized as the Carolina League Manager of the Year for his efforts. In 2004, he managed Pittsburgh's Class A Hickory Club, guiding the Crawdads to an 85-55 record and the South Atlantic League Title; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, Clark joined the Astros Organization, taking over as Manager of the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks, where he would remain for 3 seasons (2005-2007). In 2006, he led the Hooks to the Texas League Championship, earning that League's Manager of the Year honors and also served as a Coach in the MLB All-Star Futures Game in Pittsburgh. Clark advanced to Triple-A Round Rock in 2008, managing the Express to a 64-79 record and a fourth-place finish in their division. Clark spent the 2000 season as the Triple-A Nashville Sounds Hitting Coach, which was his first professional coaching assignment. After just one season as a Minor League Coach, Clark was hired as the Pirates Major League Hitting Coach, a post he would hold for the next 2 seasons (2001-2002). Clark's next Major League coaching position was in 2009 with the Houston Astros; and
WHEREAS, Clark played for the Indians (1986-1989), Cubs (1990, 1997), Royals (1991), Pirates (1992-1996), Dodgers (1996) and Astros (1998) during his 13-year Major League playing career, compiling a .264 average with 62 home runs and 284 RBIs in 905 career games. He made 2 postseason appearances, one of which was in the 1998 National League Division Series while with the Astros where he appeared in 2 games as a pinch-hitter (walked both times). Clark also appeared in 2 games for the Dodgers in the 1996 NLDS. Clark was originally selected by Cleveland in the first round (11th overall pick) of the 1983 June Draft and made his Major League debut with the Indians in 1986. He posted a .302 average in 808 career Minor League games, including a .340 clip with 30 HR in just 108 games in 1987 at Buffalo (AA); and
WHEREAS, Dave Clark attended Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi, where he was the team's MVP and top hitter in both 1982 and 1983. He was inducted into the Jackson State Sports Hall of Fame in November 2000, joining the likes of Walter Payton, Jackie Slater and Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd. His brother, Louis, played 7 years in the NFL with Seattle (1987-1993) and Green Bay (1994) and currently serves as Director of Pro Personnel for the Jacksonville Jaguars; and
WHEREAS, Clark and his wife, Vivian, make their home in Collierville, Tennessee, and have 2 daughters, Meki and Kiki. He is a 1980 graduate of Shannon High School in Shannon, Mississippi, and was 26-0 as a Golden Gloves Boxer while in high school; and
WHEREAS, it has been 38 years since Frank Robinson integrated baseball's managerial fraternity, and it is with great pride that we note the historical relevance of this Mississippi baseball trailblazer:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby pay tribute to Houston Astros Coach Dave Clark of Shannon High School and a member of the Jackson State Hall of Fame, as the first known African-American Mississippian to manage in Major League Baseball, and extend our best wishes to Dave and his family for their future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dave Clark, forwarded to the headquarters of Major League Baseball, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.