The Lexington Legends' field staff for 2010 will include a new manager and hitting coach, but both worked with the Legends earlier in their careers. Minor league staff assignments were announced Monday afternoon by the Legends' parent club, the Houston Astros.Rodney Linares, a veteran of the Astros' organization, will be the Legends manager in 2010. For the last three seasons, Linares served as manager at Greeneville (Tenn.), the Astros' affiliate in the rookie Appalachian League.
Linares was Lexington's hitting coach in 2005 and 2006. Before joining the Legends for the 2005 season, he had served six seasons as a hitting coach and scout in the Astros' Dominican Republic operations.
Linares played three seasons of professional baseball. He was an infielder in the Detroit organization in 1997 and part of 1998, and in the Houston organization from 1998-99.
Travis Driskill returns for his second season as pitching coach for the Legends. Driskill, who was to coach at Greeneville in 2009, stepped in for Legends pitching coach Charley Taylor, who continues to fight cancer. Driskill handled coaching duties in Lexington for the entire 2009 season, which was his second as a coach in the Astros' organization. Driskill retired in 2007 after 15 years as a player, including five seasons in the major leagues with Baltimore, Colorado and Houston. He served as pitching coach in Greeneville in 2008.
Stubby Clapp, who was the Legends hitting coach in 2008, will return to that post in 2010. He was the hitting coach for Greeneville in 2007 and 2009. Clapp played professionally from 1997-2005, and reached the majors in 2001 with St. Louis. A native of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Clapp played for Canada in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. He also played for Canada in the 1999 PanAm Games and in the World Baseball Classic in 2006 and 2009.
"We're unbelievably happy to have Rodney and Stubby back in the Legends clubhouse," said Legends General Manager Andy Shea. "They will add a lot of excitement and will be integral parts in our 10th anniversary celebration year."
The Legends will open their 10th season April 8 in Charleston, S. C. The home opener is set for Friday, April 16 at Applebee's Park against the Greenville Drive, an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
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