Rocket Wheeler
Encyclopedia
Ralph Norman "Rocket" Wheeler (born January 11, 1955, at Houston, Texas
) is a former minor league
infielder
and the current minor league manager
for the Class AA Mississippi Braves
of the Southern League
. Wheeler attended the University of Houston
where he obtained his nickname "Rocket" for his speed and hustle.
Wheeler was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays
in 1977. He played in the Blue Jays farm system until 1982, including stints with the Florence Blue Jays
and the Kinston Eagles. He was very well liked in Kinston
, and was honored by the Kinston Indians
by being inducted into the Kinston Professional Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006 despite recently being named manager for their most heated rival, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
He stayed with the Blue Jays system when he began his managerial career in 1985. He managed the Medicine Hat Blue Jays
, the GCL Blue Jays, the St. Catharines Stompers, the Dunedin Blue Jays
, and the Tennessee Smokies
. After the 2002 season, Wheeler was let go by the Toronto front office, and he moved over to the Atlanta Braves
farm system managing the Rome Braves
(2003-05) and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans
(2006-2010). On November 18, 2010, Wheeler was named the manager of the Mississippi Braves.
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
) is a former minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
and the current minor league manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
for the Class AA Mississippi Braves
Mississippi Braves
The Mississippi Braves, or M-Braves as they are referred to locally, are a minor league baseball team based in Pearl, Mississippi, a suburb of Jackson. The team is the Class AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, and plays in the Southern League. The team is owned and operated by Liberty Media, which...
of the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
. Wheeler attended the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
where he obtained his nickname "Rocket" for his speed and hustle.
Wheeler was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in 1977. He played in the Blue Jays farm system until 1982, including stints with the Florence Blue Jays
Florence Blue Jays
The Florence Blue Jays were a minor league baseball team based in Florence, South Carolina. They began play in the South Atlantic League in 1981 where they captured the league title in 1985. After the 1986 season the team relocated and became the Myrtle Beach Blue Jays...
and the Kinston Eagles. He was very well liked in Kinston
Kinston, North Carolina
Kinston is a city in Lenoir County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 23,688 at the 2000 census. The population was estimated at 22,360 in 2008. It has been the county seat of Lenoir County since its formation in 1791 . Kinston is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks...
, and was honored by the Kinston Indians
Kinston Indians
The Kinston Indians were a minor league baseball team of the Carolina League , and the High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. They were located in Kinston, North Carolina, and were named for their parent club...
by being inducted into the Kinston Professional Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006 despite recently being named manager for their most heated rival, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
He stayed with the Blue Jays system when he began his managerial career in 1985. He managed the Medicine Hat Blue Jays
Medicine Hat Blue Jays
The Medicine Hat Blue Jays were the Toronto Blue Jays rookie-level affiliate in the Pioneer League beginning in 1978 and remained with their parent club for 25 seasons. They played their home games at Athletic Park. Over the years, the club generally struggled on the field and with attendance, but...
, the GCL Blue Jays, the St. Catharines Stompers, the Dunedin Blue Jays
Dunedin Blue Jays
The Dunedin Blue Jays are a minor league baseball team based in Dunedin, Florida. They play in the Florida State League, and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball club...
, and the Tennessee Smokies
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies are a Minor League Baseball team based in the Knoxville, Tennessee metropolitan area. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball as of the 2011 season...
. After the 2002 season, Wheeler was let go by the Toronto front office, and he moved over to the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
farm system managing the Rome Braves
Rome Braves
The Rome Braves are a Class-A minor league affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. In 2003, the team, previously known as the Macon Braves, moved from Macon, Georgia, to Rome, Georgia, 60 miles northwest of Atlanta....
(2003-05) and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are a minor league baseball team in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They are a Class A Advanced team in the Carolina League and the franchise is currently the farm team of the Texas Rangers. From their inaugural season until 2010, the Pelicans were an affiliate of the...
(2006-2010). On November 18, 2010, Wheeler was named the manager of the Mississippi Braves.