Jackson, Tennessee – The Jackson Rockabillys of the Prospect Baseball League announced and introduced their inaugural field manager, former MLB player Matt Franco, during a press conference at the Jackson Civic Center, Tuesday.

“I’m really proud to be here,” Franco said, “This is a great opportunity that Dennis and Lisa (Bastien, club owners) have given me. I’ve known them a long time … been a long time since I’ve seen them.

“I’d like everybody to know we look forward to putting a really strong product (on the field) … always playing to win.”

A native of Southern California, the 53-year-old Franco played eight seasons in the Major Leagues. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 1987 June draft by the Chicago Cubs as a seventeen-year-old, advancing through the Cubs system to the major league team in 1995, before being traded to the New York Mets in early 1996.

He played for the Mets from 1996-2001 before moving over to the Atlanta Braves in 2002 and 2003, having his best MLB season in 2002, where he batted .317 with six home runs and 30 RBI.

Matt finished out his professional career in Japan with Chiba Lotte from 2004-2006, highlighted by a 21-HR season in 2005.

Franco will work with a 32-man roster he has yet to meet.

“That’s going to be a little bit of a challenge,” Franco said, “Everybody kind of flies in a couple of days before the season (opener), and I think we get maybe one, maybe two workouts, but we have an idea of the players we are getting and who plays where.”

The Rockabillys open on the road at Southern Illinois in Marion, for two games – April 30, May 1 – before entertaining the Cape Girardeau Catfish in their first home game May 2, at The Ballpark at Jackson.

The Rockabillys will complete their field staff by announcing their pitching coach and assistant coach next week, both current college coaches.

(PHOTO: Matt Franco, manager of the Jackson Rockabillys)