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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

New Hitting Coach Brings Major League Flavor

February 19, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Mitchell Page is back in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. The Redbirds have named Page the 2010 hitting coach for the River Bandits. The coaching veteran has an impressive resume bringing six years of experience as a major league batting instructor to the Quad Cities.

"Mitchell Page is a fine addition to a coaching staff that was already full of talent and enthusiasm," said Bandits owner Dave Heller. "His experience will be invaluable in teaching and developing the gifted athletes the Cardinals send through the Quad Cities year-in and year-out."

Page worked as the Cardinals hitting coach in St. Louis under current manager Tony La Russa from 2001-04. During his tenure, the Cardinals ranked first in the National League with a.275 team average over his four years with the club. They ranked third in all of Major League baseball in that category, trailing only the Boston Red Sox (.283) and the Los Angeles Angels (.278). During his final season in St. Louis, the Cards led the National League in runs (757), hits (1,544) and slugging percentage (.460).

"We're happy to have Mitchell back in the Cardinals organization," said Cardinals Director of Minor League Operations John Vuch. "He brings a wealth of teaching experience, having worked with hitters at all levels, and his ability to instruct young hitters makes him an ideal fit for us at Quad Cities."

After leaving the Cardinals, Page moved over to the Washington Nationals in 2005. That season he was the organization's minor league hitting coordinator before serving as the major league hitting coach from 2006-07. Over that span he helped tutor Alfonso Soriano who went on to win the Silver Slugger award and set the franchise record for home runs (46).

This season will mark his second tour of duty as a hitting instructor in the Cardinals minor league system. He served as the hitting coach for Triple-A Memphis during the 1998 campaign. He also spent two seasons as the hitting coordinator for the Cardinals organization for two years prior to being named the team's big league hitting coach.

Page enjoyed an eight-year major league career highlighted by his Rookie of the Year campaign in 1977 while playing with the Oakland A's.

"We are excited about the major league experience Mitchell brings with him to Modern Woodmen Park," said Bandits Vice President/General Manager Kirk Goodman. "He is a recognizable figure that the fans will be excited to see in our uniform."

Page is the final piece of the puzzle for the River Bandits 2010 field staff. Johnny Rodriguez and Tim Leveque were named the team's manager and pitching coach respectively in early November. Page replaces Joe Kruzel, who spent two seasons mentoring the River Bandits hitters.

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is staying busy as a special events venue over the off-season, providing the perfect atmosphere for parties, corporate functions and more. Meanwhile, the 2010 baseball schedule has been released and fans can already put down a deposit on season ticket and mini-plan packages - including the brand new Super Seven Plan - right now by calling (563) 3-BANDIT.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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