Newark Bears complete coaching staff for 2005 season
November 23, 2004 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Newark Bears News Release
NEWARK, NJ, Nov. 23âThe Newark Bears announced today that Pete Filson will return to the club to serve as pitching coach and that Henry Cruz has been hired as the team's Director of Player Personnel and bench coach. Filson and Cruz will work alongside Chris Jones, who was hired as Bears manager yesterday.
"We are pleased to bring Pete Filson back for the 2005 season," said Bears Senior Vice President and General Manager Dean Rivera. "And it's a pleasure to welcome Henry Cruz, who will bring tremendous energy and enthusiasm, to the Bears."
The 45 year old Filson will be entering his 3rd season as pitching coach of the Bears. A former major league left-hander, Filson appeared in 130 big league games for the New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals. He has been a minor league coach since retiring as an active player following the 1990 season, including two seasons at AAA Durham in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization in 1998 and 1999.
"I am really looking forward to working with CJ this upcoming season," said Filson, referring to Jones. "He was a terrific hire by the organization; and I really believe that we will be a team to reckon with in 2005."
Cruz, 28, will be in charge of the makeup of the Bears roster as Director of Player Personnel and will also serve as Jones' bench coach. His most recent coaching experience
came in 2003 with Saskatoon in the Canadian Baseball League. He sat out the 2004 season rehabbing a knee injury. Cruz, who also is an associate scout for the Cleveland Indians, is the son of former Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox outfielder Henry Cruz, Sr.
"I am excited about this opportunity," said Cruz. "I view it as a unique challenge to help build a winner in Newark."
Filson and Cruz will both be on hand when Jones is formally introduced as Bears manager at a press conference in Newark on December 9th. Details about the press conference will be forthcoming.
Atlantic League Stories from November 23, 2004
- Newark Bears complete coaching staff for 2005 season - Newark Bears
- Bluefish release 2005 season schedule - Bridgeport Bluefish
- 2005 Surf internship program unveiled - Atlantic City Surf
- Waddle in for the holidays - Long Island Ducks
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