Ambassadors Fire Evans; Hire Ott
July 2, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Portland Forest Dragons News Release
ALLENTOWN, PA â The Allentown Ambassadors have hired Ed Ott as their new manager, team officials announced today.
The Ambassadors fired Manager Darrell Evans and Coach/Scout Dan DiPace. Evans took over the managerial position this season and finished with a 12-24, including an 11 game losing streak that came to an end on Sunday in a 9-7 victory over the New Jersey Jackals.
"Darrell didn't create an exciting team," said owner Peter Karoly. "We were on a downward spiral and the losing streak speaks for itself. I had no other choice, but to make a change and go with a proven winner. Ed has the fire in his belly and I hope it translates to these players."
Ott returns to the Allentown Ambassadors after spending time with the Detroit Tigers organization as a bullpen coach. Ott was the manager of the Ambassadors from 1997-99 and guided the team to two playoff runs. He finished his three year run with a record of 138-114.
"I'm very surprised," said Ott. "I am thrilled to managing in Independent Baseball because it gives kids another opportunity. I know what it is like to chase the dream and each of these kids is trying to fulfill that dream of making it at the next level."
In his first season as manager of the Ambassadors he guided the ballclub to a respectable 39-43 record. The next two seasons he took the Ambassadors to the playoffs and captured the Manager of the Year Award in 1998 and 99. The 1998 Ambassador ballclub finished 20 games above .500 (52-32), which is the best mark by any Ambassador team.
Ott also played eight seasons in the Major Leagues, seven of them with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is a career .259 hitter with 33 home runs and 195 RBI. He reached the World Series in 1979 with the Pirates and hit .280 in his only postseason appearance in 79.
Ott's first game as manager will be on Friday July 5 at Bicentennial Park when the Ambassadors take on the Elmira Pioneers.
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