SL1 Birmingham Barons

Manager Julio Vinas to Lead Barons' Coaching Staff in 2013

Published on December 18, 2012 under Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release


Birmingham, AL - The Chicago White Sox announced Tuesday that Julio Vinas has been named as the new manager of the Birmingham Barons. Joining Vinas on the coaching staff will be pitching coach Britt Burns and hitting coach Gary Ward.

Vinas, the 67th manager in Barons history, arrives in Birmingham after leading the Class A Kannapolis Intimidators to a record of 61-76 during the 2012 season. A native of Miami, FL. and a resident of Hialeah, FL., Vinas was originally drafted by the White Sox in the 33rd round of the 1991 free-agent draft. Vinas, 39, enjoyed an 11-year Minor League playing career with four different organizations including the White Sox. He spent the 1995 season with the Barons as the team's catcher while leading a potent offense that included fan favorites Mike Cameron and Charles Poe. Under Manager Terry Francona, the Barons finished with a record of 80-64 with Vinas hitting .269 (100-for-372) with six home runs and 61 RBI.

His coaching career began in the Orioles organization in 2001 as the Field Coach with the Gulf Coast Orioles. From 2002-04 Vinas served as a Roving Hitting Instructor for the Orioles before spending six seasons as their Minor League Hitting Coordinator from 2005-10. His first managerial opportunity came in 2011 when he returned to the White Sox organization as the Manager of the Class A Winston-Salem Dash. In his first season at the helm, Vinas led the Dash to a record of 69-71. Over two managerial seasons, Vinas has compiled a record of 130-147.

The Barons pitching staff will be led by Britt Burns, who enters his 20th season of coaching at the professional level. Burns, 53, attended Huffman High School in Birmingham from 1975-77. Upon graduation, Burns held the state record for career victories (35) and currently holds the single season record for lowest ERA after posting a 0.00 mark in 1977. Burns was drafted in the third round of the 1978 draft and made his Major League debut with the White Sox at age 19. After winning 15 games during the 1980 season, Burns was an All-Star selection in 1981 and helped lead the White Sox to the ALCS in 1983. In his final season with the Sox in 1985, Burns won 18 games during the regular season.

After retiring in 1990, Burns served as a Pitching Coach in the Florida Marlins organization for the Gulf Coast Marlins (1993-94), Class A Brevard County (1995), and Class AA Portland (1996-97) before becoming the Marlins Minor League Pitching Coordinator (1998-2000). He returned to the bench as a Pitching Coach for Class AAA Calgary in 2001 before joining the Detroit Tigers organization as Pitching Coach for Class AAA Toledo (2002, 2007), Class AA Erie (2003) and Class A Lakeland (2004-06). Burns spent two seasons with the Houston Astros organization as their Minor League Pitching Coordinator (2008-09) and spent the 2012 season as the Pitching Coach for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Independent Atlantic League.

Leading the Barons offense will be Gary Ward. A veteran of 12 Major League seasons as a player, Ward, 59, is in the midst of his second coaching stint in the White Sox organization. Prior to spending the last two seasons with the Dash, Ward was the Hitting Coach for the Charlotte Knights from 1999-2001 before joining the White Sox in the same capacity from 2001-03. In 2002, the Sox ranked second in the American league in runs scored and third in home runs. Ward returned to the organization in 2009 as the Hitting Coach for the Knights, spending two seasons in Charlotte before joining the Dash in the same capacity from 2011-12. Last season, the Dash led the Carolina League in batting average, runs scored and home runs.

"The Birmingham Barons are excited to welcome former Baron Julio Vinas to the team as our new manager," said Barons General Manager Jonathan Nelson. "Britt Burns and Gary Ward are veteran coaches with proven track records in our organization. We look forward to them providing great guidance and coaching to our players this season."

Scott Johnson, 52, returns for his second stint as the Barons head athletic trainer and 25th season within the White Sox system. He previously served as Barons trainer from 1995-97. Johnson served in the same capacity for Class A Kannapolis from 2011-12 and prior to that was the head athletic trainer for the White Sox Class AAA affiliate for 13 seasons (12 seasons with Charlotte and one with Calgary).

Shawn Powell, 48, joins the Barons after one season as the Strength and Conditioning coach for the Winston-Salem Dash. Prior to joining the White Sox organization, Powell served as a consultant for the NBA's Toronto Raptors (2005-06) and worked for 11 years in the New York Yankees organization including 10 as the head strength and conditioning coach.

The 2013 Birmingham Barons will play their home opener at Regions Field on Wednesday, April 10th against the Mississippi Braves, Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. For ticket information, game schedule, promotions calendar or for additional information about Regions Field, call (205) 988-3200 or visit www.barons.com, www.facebook.com/birminghambarons or on Twitter: @bhambarons.

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Southern League Stories from December 18, 2012


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