MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Field Staff Set for 2005

Published on November 6, 2004 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH - The Cincinnati Reds have named the 2005 Dayton Dragons field staff with two of the three coaching positions filled by familiar faces. Manager Alonzo Powell and Pitching Coach Larry Pierson will both return for their second seasons in Dayton, with former Reds standout and 1988 National League Rookie of the year Chris Sabo joins the staff as the Dragons hitting coach.

"I'm happy to come back to Dayton," said Powell. It's a tremendous place to play minor league baseball and as a manager you enjoy going to work there every day. It's our goal as a staff this year to bring a winner to the city of Dayton."

Under Powell in 2003, the Dragons posted a 48-92 record and missed out on the Midwest League Playoffs for the second consecutive season. "This season as a staff we'll all have a better handle on what to expect and how to handle some situations a little bit better," said Powell. "With some of the changes that were implemented last season, there was a bit of a learning curve. This year we know what to expect and the players know what to expect so that should make it easier to go out and get our jobs done."

Powell, spent time in the Major Leagues with the Montreal Expos (1987) and the Seattle Mariners (1991) and also played professional baseball in Japan for seven seasons, where he was a five time all star, three time batting champion (becoming the first American (94-96) to win three consecutive batting titles) and a two time winner of the gold glove.

Larry Pierson returns as the Dragons pitching coach and in 2005 will become the first pitching coach in club history to return for a second season. The 2005 season will mark "LP's" tenth season as a pitching coach in professional baseball. "LP and I have a great rapport and we work very well together," says Powell. "Larry is very knowledgeable and works well with the kids. He spends as much time as is necessary to make the staff better. He brings a strong work ethic to the ball park every day and I'm looking forward to working with him towards a much better season in 2005."

All fans of the Cincinnati Reds will recognize the Dragons hitting coach in 2005. Chris Sabo takes over as the Dragons hitting coach after spending the 2004 season with the Reds as hitting coach of the Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League. As a professional, Sabo spent nine seasons in the Major Leagues (1988-1996) including seven in Cincinnati. The energetic infielder was the 1988 National Rookie of the Year and was a member of Cincinnati's 1990 World Series winning club.

"Chris had a solid major league career, as both a rookie of the year and a World Series winner, so the kids are certainly going to take notice of that," said Powell. "One of the first thing that kids take a look at is what did a guy did in his professional career. The one thing he does is get the kid's attention right away. He's going to have some of the same players that he had at Billings. He saw them at their best and worst, so he already has the knowledge of what's going to work with a player and that's a definite plus."

The Dayton Dragons open the 2005 Midwest League season on April 7, 2005 at South Bend. The clubs home opener at Fifth Third Field takes place on April 12th at 7:00 p.m. against the defending MWL champion West Michigan Whitecaps.

For more information on the Dayton Dragons, 2005 tickets, the season ticket wait list, group outings or any other inquiries, please contact the Dayton Dragons front office at (937) 228-BATS, or visit our website at daytondragons.com.

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Midwest League Stories from November 6, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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