CalL1 San Jose Giants

San Jose Giants Announce Coaching Staff

Published on December 16, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


SAN JOSE, CALIF- The San Jose Giants announced their 2010 coaching staff today with former major league catcher Brian Harper joining the club as manager. Hitting coach Gary Davenport and pitching coach Jerry Cram return after each served on last year's San Jose coaching staff that oversaw a team-record 93 wins and a California League championship. James Petra also joins San Jose as the team's athletic trainer.

Brian Harper, 50, is set to begin his third season in the San Francisco Giants organization and first year as a manager. Harper spent the last two seasons as the roving minor league catching instructor for the San Francisco Giants. Previously, he served seven years as a manager in the Angels farm system, including a successful two-year stint at the Triple-A level. Harper managed the Salt Lake Bees of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League in 2006 and 2007 posting a combined record of 155-132 (.540) and taking both teams to the postseason. He also served as manager for the Angels' Rookie-level team in the Arizona League from 2001-05.

Harper played 16 seasons in the major leagues for seven different teams, most notably as the primary catcher on the 1991 World Series champion Minnesota Twins. Harper appeared in 1,001 games over his major league career, seeing action with the California Angels (1979, 1981), Pittsburgh Pirates (1982-84), St. Louis Cardinals (1985), Detroit Tigers (1986), Oakland Athletics (1987, 1995), Minnesota Twins (1988-1993) and Milwaukee Brewers (1994). He finished with a lifetime .295 batting average, 63 home runs and 428 RBI's. Harper enjoyed four seasons with a batting average over the .300 mark, including a career-high .325 during the 1989 campaign with the Twins and a .311 mark on the championship team two years later. Additionally, he twice led the American League in most at-bats per strikeout.

Harper once called Municipal Stadium home during his playing days as he was a member of the 1987 San Jose Bees squad. Harper played in eight games with the Bees, an independent team, and was 9-for-29 (.310) with three home runs. He quickly signed with the Oakland Athletics before returning to the major leagues later that season. Harper's last major league game was in April 1995 with the Athletics.

Gary Davenport returns to the California League marking his seventh season as a coach in the Giants minor league system and fourth as hitting coach in San Jose. Davenport served as the Giants' hitting coach in each of the last two seasons after a two-year stint in the same position with the Double-A Connecticut Defenders from 2006-07. Davenport's initial season as San Jose's hitting coach in 2005 saw the Giants set franchise records for batting average (.295), doubles (242) and home runs (143) en route to the California League championship. Under Davenport's guidance, San Jose has posted three out of the top four team batting averages in club history.

Davenport was originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1981 out of Santa Clara University and has a long history of playing and instructing overseas, working in both South Africa and Italy. Davenport is the son of former San Francisco Giants star and current Special Assistant of Player Personnel, Jim Davenport.

Jerry Cram is familiar with San Jose after spending three years as the Giants pitching coach from 2001-2003 before returning to San Jose last season. The former major leaguer is now entering his 10th season in the San Francisco organization, including a five-year stint (2004-2008) as pitching coach of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Short-Season). During his time in the Giants farm system, Cram's teams have won four league championships: San Jose in 2001 and 2009 and Salem-Keizer in 2006 and 2007. Under Cram's leadership, last year's Giants pitching staff led the California League in ERA (3.27), shutouts (13) and fewest walks (401).

Cram spent parts of four seasons in the major leagues with the Kansas City Royals (1969, 1976) and New York Mets (1974-1975), compiling a 0-3 record and 2.98 ERA over 23 career appearances. Cram has devoted 28 years to the Kansas City organization, the last 14 as a pitching instructor, in a tenure that ended in 1997. Cram then spent three seasons as a pitching coach in the Colorado Rockies minor league system before joining the San Francisco organization prior to the 2001 campaign.

James Petra begins his first season as San Jose's athletic trainer and his second season in the Giants organization. Last year, Petra served as athletic trainer for the Low-A Augusta GreenJackets. Prior to joining the San Francisco Giants, Petra spent two seasons as assistant athletic trainer and head strength and conditioning coach for the Bowie Baysox, Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.

The San Jose Giants open their defense of the California League title on Thursday, April 8th at Stockton. The home opener at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for Monday, April 12th against the Visalia Rawhide. The Opening Night Extravaganza will include a post-game fireworks display, 2010 magnet schedule giveaway, the return of Gigante and much more. For more information on tickets for the 2010 season please call (408) 297-1435 or visit www.sjgiants.com.

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