Stan Boroski is the senior member of the 2009 Hooks field staff. Now in his third season as pitching mentor, Boroski has been part of the Astros organization since 1991 as a scout and coach. Students of Boroski include Matt Albers, Brian Gordon, Jason Hirsh, Mark McLemore, Fernando Nieve, Troy Patton, Felipe Paulino, Jailen Peguero, Chad Reineke, Wandy Rodriguez, Chris Sampson and Mitch Talbot.

Boroski was drafted as a catcher by Milwaukee in 1981. He spent three seasons in the Brewers system and four with the Royals before moving into scouting and player development.

Stan, wife Carol, daughter Sarah and son Clayton make their home in St. Cloud, Florida.

How did you first get involved in baseball?  I started playing at seven years old. My first team was the Astros. Our colors were green and white. Warren Township Little League. Danny Signorini was my first coach. He made it fun. 

What other sports did you play growing up?  Football and basketball, through high school. That's just what we did at a small school. We all played three sports.

How did catching prepare you to coach pitching professionally?  I was a pitcher from day one. Catching was my opportunity to get into pro ball. It gave me a defensive perspective on how hitters approach the game. Pitchers are an extension of their catcher.  Good catchers are hard to come by.

You spent six seasons coaching at the Class A level. What are the differences tutoring them at Class A and Class AA?  In Class A they realize that they must make adjustments to their game to succeed at the Major League level, but they can still get by with their stuff. In Class AA, they have to make the adjustments or there is a good chance their development will stall.

What did you enjoy most about scouting?  The challenge of predicting the future. Similar to good catchers, good scouts are hard to come by. Like my catching career, my scouting career was mediocre.

In layman's terms, how would you describe the Astros pitching philosophy?  Throw low strikes. 

You have a degree in Biology from Ohio University. What drew you to that field of study?  What makes the body work is the coolest thing to me. The degree is focused on human anatomy and physiology. It's not plants and animals. It's also helpful that I can talk to Jamie (our trainer) and understand what the players are going through.

You've mentored a number of pitchers who ultimately made the big leagues. Who, in your opinion, had the most to overcome?  Wandy Rodriguez. Small, not overpowering with his fastball, command a concern, looks lackadaisical at times on the mound. Don't let looks fool you. He's a serious competitor. There's a lot to be said for that.

If you weren't coaching baseball, what would you be doing?  Teaching and coaching. That's what I was doing when I got the scouting job and I was enjoying it tremendously. Buckeye Local High School. Rayland, Ohio. Probably coaching football. 

When the Levee Breaks is a song from Led Zepplin's fourth album. It's played each time you visit the mound at Whataburger Field. Do you like Zep? Is there another song you'd prefer?  I do like Zep. Giving away my age. The good ol' college days. I picked the song because it reminds me each time to keep the levee from breaking. Sometimes it works, other times, well?? Next song will be The Scorpions, The Zoo.

What is your idea of a perfect day?  Carol, Sarah and Clayton are good. All first-pitch strikes and no three-ball counts. Everything else is gravy.