Irish in 1989 ... Troy became the third generation of Koester to
play for the Irish ... His grandfather Mel, started managing the
Irish in the 50's and continued through 1969 ... Mel was very
instrumental in keeping baseball alive during some lean years ...
His father Steve, played in the 70's and made a brief comeback in
1989, in which he hit a double ... Troy played his high school
baseball at Arlington-Green Isle, and played 2 years at Brainerd
Community College ... Troy, while playing 2nd Base most of his
career, fancies himself as a pitcher ... With the return to wood
bats, Troy enjoyed a fine season pitching in 2002 ... Troy threw a
career high 18 innings, chipped in with a win and a save, and
recorded a 2.50 ERA ... Troy may have incurred his low point in
pitching in 1993. Troy was chosen to start the last regular
season game. Troy failed to throw a strike to the first 4 batters
faced and was pulled. Though Troy will argue this fact, it is true
that he threw 16 straight balls ... The high point for Troy,
offensively, occurred one night in 2001 at Walsh Field in Gaylord.
Facing Gaylord pitcher Randy Walsh, Troy sent a fastball high
into the night and just over the right field fence. It was the first
homerun in Troy's town team career ... Troy enjoys going to the
Fargo Dome in his spare time and attending Shakopee girl's
volleyball matches.
