End Of An Era-Boomer Leaves Bombers After Thirteen Years

It's the end of not only another Sedalia Bombers baseball season, but also the end of an era. Bombers head coach Craig "Boomer" McAndrews is hanging up the clipboard and leaving the Bombers after 13 seasons with the team, and 10 at the helm.

"He is irreplaceable," Jud Kindle, Bombers general manager said about McAndrews. "His passion for not just baseball, but for building good young men touched the lives of so many in Sedalia." McAndrews announced his departure on the Bombers website and on Twitter. "After 13 years coaching the Sedalia Bombers, tonight I coached my last game at Liberty Park/Dey Field. I can’t put into words what this place has meant to me. Its more than the wins and losses but about the relationships built along the way. Thank you Sedalia!"

During his tenure with Sedalia, the Bombers took home the MINK League title three times, with seven division titles to his name.

While McAndrews said he's looking forward to more time with his family, don't think he'll be away from the field entirely. He is still an assistant coach at Columbia College and odds are you'll see him filling out lineup cards sooner rather than later.

The outpouring of support for Coach McAndrews was everywhere after his announcement. Former Bomber and now head baseball coach at Smith-Cotton High School, Kyle Zimmerman said, "thank you for all of the love and passion that you gave the Bombers and the Sedalia community over the years! I was fortunate to get to play for you back at the beginning and then get to know you better over the years. Everyone that plays for you not only becomes a better player but a better person."

Jeremy McAndrews replied with the simple, yet telling "goat" emoji. 

Kindle said the Bombers will be announcing a new Bombers head coach soon, but made it clear there will only be one Boomer McAndrews.

Photos courtesy Craig McAndrews/Twitter

Story by Chris Kamler for MINK League Baseball