Five Starr Treatment

CORPUS CHRISTI - The visiting team clubhouse and umpire dressing room at Whataburger Field were the Texas League's best in 2013, league president Tom Kayser announced Monday.

The Hooks have thrice earned visiting clubhouse honors. The umpire room has been recognized on four other occasions. 2013 was the ninth season of Hooks Baseball.

"The services provided to visiting teams and umpires by the Hooks' clubhouse staff continues to be the model for all minor league clubs, not just those in the Texas League," Kayser said. "They have always been efficient and responsive to the needs of the people that they serve. That they have been recognized for awards this season is not a surprise to me and recognitions that I feel are wholly appropriate."

Brad Starr serves as the team's clubhouse manager. He washes the laundry after each game, cooks pre- and post-game meals, keeps the entire area clean and manages player equipment.

"This is a team effort. I couldn't do my job without help from my brother Mark and all the bat boys that help each night," Starr said. "It's important to keep the clubhouses in great shape, not just for the Hooks, but for the visitors and umpires as well."

Starr, whose brother Mark helps manage the visitor's clubhouse, just completed his seventh season as Hooks clubhouse manager. The stretch was briefly interrupted by a stint with the Houston Astros in 2009. He previously worked for Triple-A Nashville of the Pacific Coast League and Double-A Huntsville in the Southern League.

"It's a point of pride for the organization to provide the best accommodations possible for everyone that walks through our doors," Hooks GM Michael Wood said. "We have a wonderful venue to start with in Whataburger Field and the work of Brad and Mark Starr maximizes the potential of the home and visiting clubhouses as well as the umpire room."