(LANCASTER, CA) - The Houston Astros announced Monday that Tom Lawless will be taking over managerial duties for the Lancaster Jethawks in the 2010 Season. Lawless spent last year with the Lexington Legends and will retain the services of Don Alexander, Darryl Robinson and Eric Montague to round out the 2010 staff for Lancaster as they enter their 15th year of baseball at the Hangar.Lawless will be in his second year as a manager in the Houston Astros Organization, spending last season with the Lexington Legends. Prior to that, Lawless spent five seasons with the Orioles' organization as their minor league roving infield/base running instructor. Lawless also managed three different Midwest League teams over an eight-year span, and began his coaching career in 1992 as the minor league infield/base running instructor for Anaheim's farm system. He also spent the 2002 season working or the Office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball as an on-field operations assistant.
"We are excited to have Tom join our family here at the Hangar and look forward to watching him continue our winning tradition," says JetHawks Vice President and General Manager Larry Thornhill. "He brings a unique and aggressive coaching style that will be exciting to watch. He's also a perfect fit for our Hangar Heroes theme. I remember him hitting a game winning homerun in the '87 World Series, a heroic moment indeed."
Lawless spent 8 seasons in the Majors between 1982 and 1990 and played for Reds, Expos, Cardinals and Blue Jays. Over his career he played in two World Series, and most notably hit a dramatic 3-run homerun in Game 4 of the 1987 World Series against the Minnesota Twins. He is also the only player to ever be traded for all-time hits king Pete Rose in 1984.
Lawless graduated from Strong Vincent High School in Pennsylvania and the Behrend College of Penn State University. He and his wife of 28 years, Cheryl, have three daughters and call St. Louis home during the offseason.
The Jethawks welcome back pitching coach Don Alexander, hitting coach Darryl Robinson and trainer Eric Montague who will all be in their second year of service in Lancaster. Alexander will return for his 5th season with the Astros organization and 2010 will be the 10th year Eric Montague has spent with the Astros while this will be Darryl Robinsons second year of service with Houston.
After one season with the JetHawks, Wes Clements will take the helm of the Corpus Christi Hooks. Wes led the JetHawks to an exciting second half comeback in which they fell just 3 games short of the Cal League playoffs.
The 2010 season marks the 15th anniversary of professional baseball in the Antelope Valley, and since its inaugural game in 1996, The Hangar has produced more than 90 Major Leaguers and inducted 25 members into The JetHawks Hall of Fame. Don't miss out on your chance to be a part of 15 years of Hangar Heroes in 2010.
To lock in your seats for 2010, contact Trent Wondra at (661) 726-5400, or trent@jethawks.com. Info can also be found at www.JetHawks.com.
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