Devil Rays Appoint Columbus Field Staff

Published on November 29, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Columbus Catfish News Release


Columbus, GA - The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have selected the Columbus Catfish field staff for the 2007 season. Manager Jim Morrison will be joined by pitching coach Bill Moloney, coach Brady Williams and trainer Kris Russell.

Morrison, a 12-year veteran of major league baseball, began his playing career playing at Georgia Southern College (now Georgia Southern University). He appeared on the 1973 team that went to the College World Series under manager Ron Polk. In 1974 Morrison drove in 82 runs for the Eagles. In 1992 he was inducted into the Georgia Southern Athletic Hall-of-Fame. He joined the Georgia Southern Baseball Wall-of-Fame in 1998.

Primarily a third baseman and second baseman, Morrison played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves. For his career Morrison batted .260 with 112 home runs and 435 RBI. He retired with the Braves in 1988 but returned to professional baseball as a coach for the Gulf Coast Phillies in 2000. During the 2002 season he was named the Phillies roving infield instructor. He coached the 2003-2004 seasons with Batavia (A) before his first managerial stint with the Gulf Coast Phillies during the 2005-2006 seasons.

"I'm excited to be with the Devil Rays and be back in that part of the country. I'm not new to Georgia and the position keeps me close to home," said Morrison, who resides in Bradenton, Florida.

Moloney most recently spent six seasons in the Cincinnati Reds organization, including the last four as pitching coach for the Chattanooga Lookouts (AA). Before joining the Reds he spent 21 years in the Boston Red Sox organization, serving as an assistant to the Major League staff in his final four seasons. He currently resides in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Williams earned his first coaching position with the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays in March of this year. He was appointed their hitting coach after the spot was vacated by a promotion. Williams was drafted in the 45th round of the 1999 draft and played eight seasons in the minors. He currently resides in Palm Harbor, Florida.

Russell was also in Southwest Michigan in 2006, his first season with the club and third in the Rays organization. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in athletic training in 1994. Russell currently resides in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

The field staff is set, but players will not be in place for months to come. Nonetheless, Morrison envisions quality between the lines. "Devil Rays management focuses on player development and our scouts have done a great job of finding players for the Tampa Bay farm system. We will see exciting players in Columbus," he said.

Moloney also spoke highly of the top-ranked Rays system. "Having playing against Devil Rays affiliates since 2002 I found myself sitting in the opposing dugout and wondering, 'Why can't we get players like that?'" he said. "The Devil Rays organization has produced very good prospects and will continue to do so," he added.

The 2007 season will begin Thursday, April 5th when the Catfish host the Kannapolis Intimidators, Class-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. For tickets, merchandise or more information call (706) 571-8866 or visit www.ColumbusCatfish.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from November 29, 2006


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