Blake Tekotte supports Miami strength coach

BlakeTekotte
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- New Chicago White Sox outfielder Blake Tekotte added his name to the list of former University of Miami players in support of former strength coach Jimmy Goins, who is alleged to be involved in a South Florida anti-aging clinic that allegedly gave performance enhancing drugs to players.

“Jimmy Goins always has been a great guy to me, and I had nothing ever bad to say about him,” Tekotte said Tuesday.

Tekotte played for the Hurricanes from 2006-08. Kyle Bellamy, a reliever in the Sox’s organization, expressed his fierce support for Goins last week to the Miami Herald. Bellamy said Goins was treated at the Biogeneis clinic in Coral Gables because of a medical condition.

“(Goins) has complete paperwork and documents to back it up and prove he was not there illegally or to buy stuff to sell or anything in that matter,” Bellamy told the Herald. “There’s no doubt in his mind his name will be cleared.”

Meanwhile, Tekotte, 25, admitted he was “a little surprised” when informed of his trade last November from San Diego for reliever Brandon Kloess but was excited by the change.

“I’m actually grateful for a new opportunity with a new club,” Tekotte said. “I’ve heard great things, and everyone has been very welcoming.

The Sox were attracted to Tekotte’s .355 on-base percentage in five minor league seasons with the Padres and hope he can cut down his strikeout total and push for a major league job soon.

“It was great having that phone conversation with (Sox general manager) Rick Hahn, and I’m ready to go,” Tekotte said.

Tekotte has a .163 batting average with 25 strikeouts in 49 at-bats over parts of two seasons with San Diego.


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(chicagotribune.com)
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