The Minnesota Twins today named Tom Nieto manager of the Rochester Red Wings. The 49-year-old Nieto was the manager for Double-A New Britain in 2009.Nieto will enter his 10th year as a minor league manager, his second in the Twins organization and his first season in Triple-A. The 2010 season will mark his 19th year as a Major League coach, or minor league manager/instructor. Nieto, a catcher, put together a seven-year Major League career (1984-1990), including two seasons with the Twins (1987 & 1988). A 3rd round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1981, Nieto spent time with the St. Louis Cardinals (1984 & 1985), Montreal Expos (1986), Minnesota Twins (1987 & 1988) and Philadelphia Phillies (1989 & 1990), batting .205 with five home runs and 69 RBI in 251 Major League games.
Joining Nieto in the dugout will be Pitching Coach Bobby Cuellar and Hitting Coach Floyd Rayford . Bobby Cuellar, 57, will return for his fifth season as the Red Wings pitching coach and 25th year of instruction. Cuellar played 9 years of pro ball, appearing briefly in the majors with Texas in 1977, going 0-1 with a 1.29 ERA in four games. This is Cuellar's sixth season as the Twins Triple-A pitching coach. Cuellar was the Major League pitching coach for Seattle (1995-1996), Montreal (1997-2000), and Texas (2001). Floyd Rayford, 52, will begin his first season as the Red Wings hitting coach and his 11th year in the Minnesota Twins organization. Rayford, a long time Rochester fan favorite and better known as "Sugar Bear", played for Rochester from 1980-1984, 1986 & 1987. Tony Leo will return for his sixth season as the Red Wings trainer. Leo will be entering his 13th season in the Minnesota Twins organization.
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