It’s been an emotionally grueling week for Red Sox infielder Brock Holt as he’s mourned the recent passing of his junior college coach, Derwood “Pops” Penney. Penney coached Holt in Texas at Navarro Junior College. According to Holt, Penney played a large role in shaping the player he has become. With the help of Penney, Holt turned into a Division 1 player at Rice.
Derwood “Pops” Penney was born on February 13, 1941, in Texas. After retiring from a 45-year career as a farm parts department manager, Penney went into coaching baseball (the game that he loved).