DeJohn named Cardinals manager

Published on December 20, 2004 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
New Jersey Cardinals News Release


St. Louis Cardinals Director of Player Development, Bruce Manno, today named Mark DeJohn manager of the New Jersey Cardinals. DeJohn, replacing Tom Shields who had managed New Jersey for three consecutive seasons, will be joined by pitching coach Sid Monge and Trainer Manubu Kuwazuru. Monge will be returning for his third season with New Jersey and Kuwazuru his second.

DeJohn begins his first season in New Jersey after spending the previous three season managing the Cardinals Double A franchise - two years in Tennessee (Southern League) and one year in New Haven (Eastern League). Prior to becoming a minor league manager, DeJohn had served as a coach at the Major League level from 1996-2001. He was the organizations minor league field coordinator for three seasons and managed in the Cardinals farm system from 1986-1991. He also managed in Detroit (Birmingham & London) and Kansas Citys (Eugene) minor league organizations.

Tom Shields, New Jerseys manager from 02-04, will concentrate on scouting full time and will also be a roving instructor with the Cardinals organization. New Jersey Cardinals Vice President & General Manager, Tony Torre commented We want to thank Tom Shields for his past three years of service. It was nice for Toms tenure to culminate in being named NY-Penn League Manager of the Year. Tom managed our club to win and this past season was our most exciting since winning the league title in 1994. We look forward to working with DJthis season. Mark previously had been a roving instructor and visited us in 1994 in New Jersey. Ive known DJ for a number of years. He will bring intensity and an off beat personality to our team.

DeJohn, an infielder, was originally drafted by the New York Mets in 1971 and played in their system through the 1977 season. He signed with the Tigers in 1978 and reached the major leagues with the Tigers in 1982.

He made the transition to coach in 1983 serving as a minor league instructor for the Tigers. He coached in Eugene (Northwest League) in 1985 but returned to the Tigers midway through the season. Mark joined the Cardinals organization in 1986 when he managed the Savanah Cardinals (South Atlantic League) to a 75-60 record. He spent two seasons there before moving on to Springfield (Midwest League) in 1988. The next two years were with Johnson City in 89-90 (Appalachian League), then onto Detroits AA franchise in London, Ontario (Eastern League) in 1992, before returning to the Cardinals organization in 1993.

A native of Middletown, Connecticut, Mark has two children and currently resides in New Britain, Connecticut.

In his sixth year with the St. Louis organization, Sid Monge returns for his third consecutive season with the New Jersey Cardinals as the teams pitching coach. Monge spent the 2002 season with Potomac (Carolina League), 2001 with Johnson City (Appalachian League) and 2000 with Peoria (Midwest League).

During his 10 year major league career, Sid posted a 49-40 record with a 3.53 ERA. He played with the Angels (75-77), Indians (77-81), Phillies (82-83), Padres (83-84), and Tigers (84). Monge was a member of the 1979 American League All Star team when he posted career highs with 76 appearances, 12 wins, 108 strikeouts, and a 2.40 ERA.

Monge and his wife Carol have three children, Michael, Amanada, and John.

In addition, Trainer Manubu Kuwazuru returns for his second season in New Jersey. Boohad previously work with the University of Nebraska and the New York Jets. He is the 7th Trainer in the teams 12 year history.

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