Kernels announce 2008 Field Staff
November 30, 2007 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release
The Cedar Rapids Kernels, along with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, released today the 2008 minor league coaching staffs and there will be several new faces in the Kernels dugout this season.
Taking over the managerial reins will be Keith Johnson, who has been the hitting coach at double-A Arkansas the past two seasons. This will be his first job as skipper after six years in the Angels organization. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1992 draft out of the University of the Pacific and played in 1,340 minor league games with a .262 average, 125 HR and 640 RBI. He appeared in six major league games with the Angels in 2000, collecting two hits in four at bats. He retired following the 2002 season and resides in Park City, UT with his family.
A familiar name to Kernels fans, Brandon Emanuel will be the Kernels pitching coach in 2008. The Panama City, FL native was drafted by the Angels in the second round of the 1998 draft and posted a 7-12 record with a 4.47 ERA in 23 starts for the Kernels in 1998. He had five complete games and struck out 88 batters in 153 innings pitched. He topped out at triple-A Salt Lake in 2004 and was signed by the Padres as a free agent in November of 2004. His last two seasons were at the triple-A level with Portland in 2005 and the Iowa Cubs in 2006. This will be his first coaching assignment in professional baseball.
Damon Mashore joins the Angels as the Kernels hitting coach after a season as manager of the Missoula Osprey in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. He spent six seasons with Arizona as a coach including three seasons as the hitting coach at Lancaster where the Jet Hawks led the league in team batting average two of his three seasons. Mashore played 12 seasons of professional baseball including two seasons with Oakland (1996-97) and one season with the Angels (1998). He has a career MLB batting average of .249 in 185 games with eight home runs and 41 RBI. He lives in Concord, CA and played his college baseball at the University of Arizona.
Mike Metcalfe is the only returning member of the 2007 staff to begin his second season as athletic trainer for the Kernels and his fourth season with the Angels. He is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN with degrees in Athletic Training and Health/Fitness. He is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society. He is a native of Inver Grove Heights, MN and his mother grew up in Palo, IA. He has three aunts and uncles, a grandfather and several cousins living in and around Cedar Rapids.
Adam Wagner begins his first season as the Kernels Strength and Conditioning Coach after spending 2007 with the Orem Owlz. He is a graduate of Arizona State with a major in Exercise Science and is a native of Phoenix, AZ. He has three sisters and enjoys playing sports and watching baseball.
2007 manager Ever Magallanes will take over as manager at Rancho Cucamonga, while former managers Bobby Magallanes and Ty Boykin will begin their second season as managers at Arkansas and Tempe respectively.
The Kernels open the 2008 season on the road at Clinton on April 3rd and host Quad City in the 2008 home opener on Monday, April 7th at noon. Season tickets and flex plan coupon books are on sale now on-line at www.kernels.com
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Midwest League Stories from November 30, 2007
- New Swing Ownership Announces Key Additions to Staff - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Kernels announce 2008 Field Staff - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Season Tickets are Perfect Gifts for the Holidays - Beloit Sky Carp
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