Pankovits to Return as Manager of the ValleyCats in 2010
Published on November 23, 2009 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release
TROY, N.Y. - On Thursday, the Houston Astros announced the Tri-City ValleyCats coaching staff for the 2010 season. The coaching staff from a season ago remains the same with manager Jim Pankovits at the helm. Pitching coach Gary Ruby returns for his second season with the organization and Joel Chimelis is back for his fifth season as hitting coach.
Pankovits, a former infielder for the Astros, spent three seasons managing with the Class A-Advanced Salem Avalanche from 2006-08. In 2006, Pankovits was named the Carolina League Manager of the Year after leading the Avalanche to its first playoff berth since 1988. Prior to managing Salem, Pankovits spent two seasons managing Class-A Quad City (1995-96) and two seasons as manager at Double-A Jackson (1998-99).
"I am really excited to have the opportunity to manage the ValleyCats again in 2010," said Pankovits. "The Astros are very fortunate to have an affiliation in Troy and it would be nice to take care of some unfinished business and bring home a New York-Penn League Championship. I enjoyed working with Rick Murphy and his staff in 2009 and would like to congratulate the ValleyCats organization as being recipients of the Leo Pinckney Award for promotional excellence. I would also like to congratulate Heather LaVine and Vic Christopher for the awards they received as well. They are all well deserved."
Pankovits was drafted by the Astros in the fourth round of the June 1976 draft. After six seasons in the Houston organization, Pankovits was traded to San Diego in 1982. Pankovits returned to the Astros in 1983 and made his major league debut in 1984. In five seasons with the Astros, Pankovits compiled a .250 batting average in 318 games. The 2009 season will be Pankovits' 20th in the Astros organization.
Prior to joining Tri-City, Gary Ruby spent the 2008 season with Pankovits at Salem as the pitching coach. Ruby also spent six seasons as the minor league pitching coordinator for the Pittsburgh Pirates (2002-07) and has experience with the Phillies (1998-2001) and Angels (1987-95) organization. Ruby was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 22nd round of the 1969 draft and played three years in the Indians farm system.
Chimelis returns for his fifth season as the ValleyCats hitting coach. Chimelis was a former infielder selected by the Oakland A's in the 11th round of the 1988 draft. He played thirteen years in the minors, posting career highs in home runs (30) and RBI (98) while playing for Dos Laredos of the Mexican League in 2000.
Bryan Baca returns for his third season as the ValleyCats trainer in 2010. Prior to joining Tri-City, Baca was Rookie League Greenville's athletic trainer in 2007. Baca is a native of Albuquerque, NM and is a graduate of New Mexico State with a B.S. in Athletic Training.
New York-Penn League Stories from November 23, 2009
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- Pankovits to Return as Manager of the ValleyCats in 2010 - Tri-City ValleyCats
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