Former Houston Astros Player in Running for Coaching Opening

Mark Loretta played less than three seasons for the Houston Astros but he could be taking over his alma mater's coaching job.

A former Houston Astros player could be up for the head-coaching job at Northwestern University, reports MLB.com.

That former Astros player is also a former Northwestern player — Mark Loretta. He is one of two former MLB players that have Northwestern ties that are being considered for the job. The other is Joe Girardi, a four-time World Series champion as a player and manager with the New York Yankees.

Northwestern fired coach Jim Foster earlier this week after allegations of bullying and a toxic environment within the program. His firing came on the heels of the firing of football coach Pat Fitzgerald for similar allegations.

Loretta played more than a decade in the Majors and is most associated with the team hie broke in with, the Milwaukee Brewers. He is a member of their Wall of Honor. But he had two different stints with the Astros — in 2002 and from 2007-08.

The Brewers traded Loretta to the Astros during the 2002 season and he only played a handful of games. When he re-joined the Astros in 2007, he did so as a utility player but ended up playing at least 100 games in each season.

With the Astros he slashed .296/.363/.393/.755 with 10 home runs and 87 RBI.

His ties to the Wildcats may be useful as the school attempts to rebuild its reputation.

Loretta was named an All-America and the Big Ten Player of the Year his senior season (1993). He is ranked second on NU's career hits list with 239 and sixth in total bases with 336. In his stellar 1993 season, be batted .408 with 75 hits and six triples.

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