DeFrancesco Named Manager of the Year
August 29, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1) News Release
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.- Sacramento River Cats manager Tony DeFrancesco has been selected 2003 Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year, an accolade chosen annually by his peers as well as media representatives throughout the League. In just his first season at the Triple-A level, DeFrancesco has led the River Cats to the PCL's best record in 13 years and a Southern Division Title.
Under DeFrancesco, Sacramento has compiled a record of 91-49, breaking a club record for wins set in 2000 (90-54), and equaling the most wins by a Coast League team since the 1990 Albuquerque Dukes. The River Cats have excelled in all facets of the game, leading the League in runs scored with 828, leading Minor League Baseball with 148 home runs, and ranking second in the PCL in pitching with a 3.82 staff earned run average.
"These guys play a team game," DeFrancesco said. "From the 11 position players that are here right now, to the pitchers, everybody understands their role and what has to be done to go out there and win a game. These guys execute like no other team I've seen."
Born in New York City and educated at Seton Hall University, DeFrancesco is in his 10th season managing in the Oakland Athletics organization, beginning with the A's Arizona League team in 1994 and steadily moving up the system. In 1995-96, he managed Southern Oregon (Short Season-A) before spending two years at the helm of Visalia in the Class-A California League. In 1999, DeFrancesco began a four year stint as manager of the Double-A Midland Rock Hounds, where he compiled a record of 290-268, before taking over as skipper of the River Cats. This season marks the manager's first foray into post-season play at any level. DeFrancesco becomes the fourth straight member of the Sacramento team to win one of the Pacific Coast League's prestigious post-season awards in 2003, joining Rookie of the Year Bobby Crosby, Pitcher of the Year Justin Duchscherer, and Most Valuable Player Graham Koonce. Since the Rookie of the Year accolade was introduced in 1999, no team has swept all four honors.
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