End of an era

Matt Rock / Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: August 5, 2007

The Rutkowski era in the Culpeper Red Devils history books will be coming to a close after the 2007 season.

Manager Jim Rutkowski, first baseman Brent and second baseman Jason have all moved out of state after being in the Red Devils organization for six years.

Jim is now the Chief Financial Officer at the Southwest Regional Medical Center in Waynesburg, Pa. Jason is a human resource generalist for Brunswick Community Hospital in Supply, N.C., while younger brother Brent is a program assistant for the Vietnam Veterans of America in Silver Spring, Md.

"Growing up in Culpeper allowed me to form a lot of great relationships that I hope continue for many years to come," Jason said. "And not just because I'll be living at the beach now," he added.

Jim has coached his sons prior to the Red Devils.

"The thing I am most proud of with both is their knowledge of the game, their unselfishness and that they play the game the way it should be played - on the field with their God-given abilities. I believe they are each other's biggest supporters."
And for Jim, it's been exciting to see some of the plays on the field for his boys.

"It's been a dream come true, as it has been for coaching the entire team," Jim said. "My greatest thrill was Jason getting the championship-winning hit last year in the bottom of the ninth to capture our second title."

Jason sees the work his dad has put into the team over the past six years.

"I think few realize how much effort he puts into fielding a team each and every year, and Dad enjoys almost every minute of it."

Brent enjoys living in the same house as his coach.
"It's been great, we go back and forth, talk strategy," said Brent.

The younger Rutkowski enjoys having his older brother next to him on the playing field for many reasons.

"He's a clutch player," Brent said. "He makes my job easy over there at first."

Same goes for Jason.

"Brent has probably been one of the best players in this league since the Red Devils were started," Jason said. "So, if anything, I think his quality of play has made me become a better player, so that I don't have the younger brother showing me up to much."

The guys haven't been the only ones involved in the team, as it has been an entire family effort for the Rutkowskis.

"We're a baseball family," Jim said. "My wife knows as much about the game as a lot of men do. She's a keen observer over the years."

The entire family has contributed with many duties off the field.
"It's been a family operation from day one," Jim said. "Robin helped with fundraising initially and has kept the uniforms clean and neat for the last five years. The boys recruited players over the years and on many occasions, especially in the early years, helped prepare the field for games."

Jim also mentioned that both Jason and Brent helped design the T-shirts over the years, and Jason created the emblem the team wears on its hats.

The family outings at the ball field have made it even more enjoyable than it already is.

"I don't think it would be nearly as much fun year in and year out for me if Dad, Mom and Brent weren't a part of everything," Jason said.

Now the trio will be leaving the Culpeper community.
"I'll definitely miss the Red Devils, the team's sponsors who faithfully helped us every year and the many great people I had the privilege of working with at the hospital over the last 22 years," Jim said. "We also made several good friends and have great neighbors."

Both Brent and Jason said they'd miss their friends the most.
As for the future of the Red Devils, all three were pretty much on the same page, but Brent summed it up best.

"About the same that's going on right now," Brent said. "As long as they stick together, they're still the best ball players that I've seen in the area."

Matt Rock can be reached at .