Established managers to guide International League clubs in 2005

Published on February 22, 2005 under International League (IL1) News Release

The IL will feature another experienced group of managers in 2005, although only seven return to the League in the same posts they held last year. As a group, the 14 International League skippers boast 30 years of experience in the League and a whopping 62 previous seasons in the Triple-A classification.

All four managers that guided their respective clubs into the 2004 Governors' Cup Playoffs return for an encore season, led by reigning IL Manager-of-the-Year Marty Brown of the defending League Champion Buffalo Bisons. Also back is Durham's Bill Evers, the longest current tenured IL manager, who returns for an eighth season with the Bulls after leading the club into the post-season in six of the past seven seasons. Defending Division Champion skippers Pat Kelly of Richmond and Bucky Dent of Columbus return for their third consecutive campaigns with their respective clubs.

Other 2004 managers who return to their posts in 2005 are Rochester's Phil Roof, Syracuse's Marty Pevey and Toledo's Larry Parrish.

Of the seven newcomers, two have previously managed in the International League.

* Nick Leyva piloted Charlotte during the 2000 & 2001 campaigns and returns for a second stint with the club. Last year, he took over Class A Winston-Salem during the season and led the team to a berth in the Carolina League finals.

* Rick Sweet only has a bit of experience in the loop, managing Ottawa for 49 games late in the 2000 season. He will guide Louisville in 2005, marking his seventh full season at the Triple-A classification.

All but one of the remaining 2005 IL field managers have Triple-A experience.

* Trent Jewett is a veteran in leading Pittsburgh's highest affiliate, having guided the Pirates' Triple-A club for 7 seasons, including the last two. He will manage Indianapolis in 2005, the Indians' first season with the Bucs after five campaigns with Milwaukee.

* Ken Oberkfell, the only Triple-A rookie of the bunch, will get his feet wet with Norfolk. The 16-year Major League veteran has eight previous managerial campaigns, spending the last four in the New York Mets system.

* Dave Trembley ranks as one of the most established skippers in all of Minor League Baseball. A veteran of 19 seasons, Trembley will make his IL debut with Ottawa in 2005. He previously managed Iowa of the PCL in 2000.

* Ron Johnson continues his progression through the Boston Red Sox organization and will pilot Pawtucket in 2005. Johnson, who joined the Boston system in 2000, has prior Triple-A time with Omaha (1998-99) during an 8-year stint in the Kansas City chain.

* Gene Lamont has spent the longest time away from the Triple-A classification, having last managed Omaha in the American Association in 1984-85. Lamont, who takes over for Marc Bombard in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, has held various positions in the Major Leagues since, including terms as the manager of Pittsburgh and the Chicago White Sox.

With five skippers with over 1,000 career wins, the League's 14 field managers have collectively posted over 11,000 victories in 165 Minor League seasons for a career winning percentage of .508. The group has a 4,426-4,295 mark (.508) at Triple-A. Evers, Kelly, and Trembley are each beginning their 19th Minor League season, and are followed by Sweet (17th), Roof (15th), and Johnson (14th). The group as a whole has led 17 clubs to League Championships, led by Evers' five Titles, and has collected 12 League Manager-of-the-Year awards, paced by Trembley with three. Detailed sketches on each manager follow.

Marty Brown (Buffalo): Marty Brown's second season in Buffalo proved to be special as the 42-year-old led the Bisons to the Governors' Cup Championship. He returns for a third season at the helm of the club, looking to become just the eighth IL skipper to lead his team to back-to-back titles. Brown, who was named the IL Manager-of-the-Year and Baseball America's Minor League Manager-of-the-Year in 2004, led the Bisons to an 83-61 record and a 10.0 game lead in the IL North before the club dispatched Durham and Richmond to claim the franchise's sixth Governors' Cup. Brown joined the Cleveland organization in 2003, leading the Bisons to a 73-70 record and a tie for third place in the IL North Division. Brown had two Triple-A campaigns under his belt before coming to Buffalo, spending the 2001-02 seasons as the skipper in Nashville (PCL), a Pittsburgh affiliate. He guided the Sounds to a 72-71 record in 2002, improving on his 2001 Triple-A managerial debut season when the club finished with a 64-77 record. The Lawton, Oklahoma native began his managerial career in 1997 with Erie (New York-Penn), piloting the club to a 50-26 record and first place in the Stedler Division. Although the team lost in the League's playoffs, Brown earned Manager-of-the-Year honors as a result of the regular season success. In 1998 Marty joined Augusta (South Atlantic) and again led his club to the post-season as the result of a first half Divisional Crown. The '99 & 2000 campaigns saw the former infielder manage Altoona in the Double-A Eastern League to a two-year record of 141-141. Marty was selected by Cincinnati in the 12th round of the 1985 June Draft after playing collegiately at Crowder College (MO) and the University of Georgia. He played for four organizations during an 11-year professional career, reaching the Major Leagues with Cincinnati (1988-89) and Baltimore (1990). At the Triple-A level, Brown played on Rochester's 1990 Governors' Cup Championship club. Marty's career record stands at 551-520 (.514) with a 292-279 (.511) mark in Triple-A.

Nick Leyva (Charlotte): Nick Leyva returns to Charlotte in 2005, coming back to the club he skippered in 2001 & 2002. Leyva, who managed the Knights to a combined 145-142 mark in his first two seasons with the club, replaces Nick Capra, who led the Knights for the past three seasons. Since leaving Charlotte, Leyva managed Bristol to the Appalachian League Title in 2002 and served 1 ½ seasons as the White Sox' Minor League Infield Instructor. The 51-year-old took over the helm of Class A Winston-Salem midway through the 2004 campaign and guided the team to a 47-29 record down the stretch and a spot in the Carolina League Finals. Leyva's role with the Knights in 2000 marked his first managerial campaign since piloting the Syracuse Chiefs in 1992 & ‘93. He was out of baseball in 1998 & 1999 and spent the 1994-97 seasons as the Toronto Blue Jays' 3B Coach. While with Syracuse in '92, Leyva's club finished 60-83 and his '93 team was 35-55 on July 16 when he was promoted to Toronto to serve as third base coach in place of the injured Rich Hacker (auto accident). Prior to his time with the Toronto organization, Leyva managed the Philadelphia Phillies during the 1989 & '90 seasons and for the first 13 games of '91. His combined record in Philadelphia was 148-189. The Wayne, PA resident got his start in 1979 with Johnson City (Appy), leading his first club to a 37-33 mark. After another season in Johnson City, Leyva moved upward through the Cardinals' system, piloting clubs in Gastonia ('80), St. Petersburg (‘81-mid '82) and Arkansas (mid ‘82-'83). Nick earned Texas League Manager-of-the-Year honors in '83 as his Travelers finished with a 69-67 record and advanced to the League playoffs. The native Californian spent the next five seasons as a coach for St. Louis' major league club. A former NAIA All-American at LaVerne College, Leyva played in the Cardinals' minor league system for three seasons before accepting his first managerial position. Overall, Leyva's career record stands at 828-773 (680-584 in the minor leagues).

Bucky Dent (Columbus): Bucky Dent piloted the Clippers to the IL West Division Crown in 2004 and returns for a third straight season with the club. Dent's 2004 Columbus team finished 80-64, winning the Division by 13 games, before falling to Richmond in the First Round of the Governors' Cup Playoffs. Dent, who previously managed the Clippers to a 210-202 record from 1987 through August of 1989, returned to the club in 2003, guiding the team to a 76-68 mark. Bucky's debut season with Columbus (1987) produced a 77-63 record and the Governors' Cup Title, which the Clippers captured by sweeping both Rochester and Tidewater in three-game series. In '88, Columbus posted a 65-77 record under Dent and the '89 club was 68-62 through August 18th, when Bucky was summoned to replace Dallas Green at the helm of the parent Yankees. The Savannah, GA native returned to Triple-A in 2002 with Omaha (Pacific Coast League), leading the Royals to a 76-68 record in his only season in the Kansas City organization. From 1995-2001, the former shortstop served as the bench coach/infield instructor for the Texas Rangers. Dent also had a four-year stint as the St. Louis Cardinals third base coach (1991-94). After closing the 1989 season with the Yankees (and leading the club to an 18-22 record), the 53-year-old opened the 1990 campaign in the same capacity, managing the club to an 18-31 mark before being replaced by Stump Merrill on June 6th. Dent began his managerial career in 1985, leading Ft. Lauderdale (FSL) to a 77-63 record, then guided the club to an 80-59 mark the next season. The Boynton Beach, FL resident played in the Major Leagues for parts of 12 seasons (1973-84), batting .247 in 1,392 games while suiting up for the White Sox, Yankees, Rangers, and Royals. He is best known for a three-run game-winning home run in a one-game playoff in 1978 that gave New York the Division Crown over Boston. Dent was a three-time Major League All-Star and finished second in the 1974 Rookie-of-the-Year balloting. During his seven-year Minor League managerial career, Dent's clubs have posted a 599-524 mark (.533), with a 442-402 (.524) record at Triple-A.

Bill Evers (Durham): Bill Evers continued what has been a remarkable run with Durham in 2004, leading the team to their sixth playoff berth since joining the IL in 1998. The 51-year-old, the only Triple-A manager the Bulls have ever known, returns for an 8th season at the helm in 2005 after piloting the team to a 77-67 record and the Wild Card playoff berth in 2004. The Bulls jumped out to a 2-0 First Round series lead, but lost the final three games to eventual champ Buffalo to see their streak of Titles end at two. Since joining Durham for their inaugural campaign, Evers, the franchise's all-time winningest manager, has led the Bulls to a 548-454 record (.547), five South Division Titles, four Governors' Cup Finals berths and back-to-back Championships (2003-04). He is one of just six managers to lead his clubs to consecutive IL Crowns and holds the second-highest mark among all IL managers with a .658 winning pct. in Governors' Cup play (25-13). In 1997, Evers' second year with the Tampa Bay organization, he led St. Petersburg to the best record in the Florida State Lg. (81-56) and secured his third title when the D-Rays defeated Vero Beach in the finals. Prior to joining St. Pete., Evers managed the Rays' GCL entry in 1996. The New York, NY native enters his 19th managerial campaign, having spent six years with the San Francisco organization (‘87-92) and three seasons in the Yankees' chain (‘93-95). In 1995, Evers' only other season in the IL, he managed Columbus to a 71-68 record. Bill has led ten clubs to playoff berths and posted back-to-back Texas League Titles with Shreveport (‘90 & ‘91) - giving him five in his career. After six seasons as a catching instructor/coach in the Cubs', Yankees', and Giants' systems, the New Port Richey, FL resident began his managerial career with Clinton (Midwest Lg.) in 1987. Evers first managed at the Triple-A level in 1992, guiding Phoenix to a 66-78 record. Evers, who spent four seasons as a catcher in the Cubs' system, has compiled a 1,316-1,127 record (.539) as a manager with a 685-600 mark (.533) in Triple-A.

Trent Jewett (Indianapolis): Trent Jewett, a veteran of seven seasons as the manager of Pittsburgh's Triple-A affiliate, will mark an eighth season at the helm of the Pirates' top club, moving to Indianapolis for the 2005 season along with the Pittsburgh affiliation. The 41-year-old Jewett, who previously managed the Bucs' Triple-A club in Nashville (1998-2000, 2003-04) and Calgary (1996-97) replaces Cecil Cooper, who will serve as the Houston Astros' bench coach this season. Jewett, a Dallas native, has spent his entire professional career in the Pirates' organization, serving as a player, minor league manager, and major league coach. In 4 ½ seasons with Nashville, Trent led the club to a 320-305 record (he only skippered the club through early June in 2000 before becoming the Pirates' 3B coach – a position he also held in 2001 & 2002). His best season came in 2003 as the Sounds finished with an 81-62 record, won the PCL East Division, and advanced to the second Round of the playoffs, the club's first post-season berth since 1994. Jewett's 2004 club finished with a 63-79 mark. The former catcher made his Triple-A managerial debut in 1996, leading Calgary to a 74-68 record and spent one more season with the team before the Pirates shifted their affiliation to Nashville. Jewett managed four other affiliates in the Pittsburgh chain prior to beginning his Triple-A career. His first three teams all finished with sub-.500 records: 1992, Welland (NY-Penn, 31-46); 1993, Augusta (S. Atlantic, 59-82); 1994, Salem (Carolina, 64-75), but he found the winning formula in 1995. That season, the Coppell, TX resident piloted Carolina to the Southern League Title. The team won the loop's East Division in both halves of the regular season and collected 3-2 victories in both playoff series to capture Jewett's only Minor League Crown. Trent spent four seasons as a player in Pittsburgh's system after being signed by the team in 1987. Entering his 12th season as a Minor League manager, Jewett's career record stands at 697-709 (.496) with a 454-451 (.502) mark at the Triple-A level.

Rick Sweet (Louisville): Rick Sweet joins his third Major League organization in as many seasons, assuming managerial reigns in Louisville. Sweet replaces Rick Burleson, who will pilot the Reds' short-season Billings affiliate in 2005. The 52-year-old Sweet comes to the Cincinnati chain after one year in the Detroit system, where he led Double-A Erie to an 80-62 record and a berth in the Eastern League playoffs. A season earlier, he completed a three-year run with Triple-A Portland (OR), a San Diego affiliate in the PCL. Rick's three Beavers' clubs were a combined 212-219. The Longview, WA native spent the 1998-2000 campaigns with the Montreal Expos. He managed Double-A Harrisburg to the Eastern League Crown in 1998, then accepted a position as the organization's Minor League Field Coordinator. He held that job through July 20, 2000 when he took the helm of Ottawa, then Montreal's Triple-A affiliate. Rick led the Lynx to a 15-34 record down the stretch in his only previous IL experience. In 1997, he managed Double-A Binghamton (New York Mets) to a 66-76 record. Rick's longest stint with any organization spanned eight years (1989-96) with the Houston Astros. After skippering Astros' teams in Osceola, FL (1989), Columbus, GA (1990), and Jackson, MS (1991-92), Sweet made his Triple-A managerial debut with Tucson in 1993. He had a successful three-year run with the then-Toros, leading the club to the PCL Title in his inaugural season (83-60 record), earning the loop's Manager-of-the-Year Award in 1994 (81-63), and leading his team to the circuit's best record in 1995 (87-56). He served as the Major League club's 1B coach in 1996. Following a nine-year playing career that included parts of three years in the Major Leagues, the Vancouver, WA resident retired following the 1983 season. He spent five seasons in the Seattle system, serving as the Major League bullpen coach (1984), advance scout (1985-86), and as a minor league manager (1987-88). Sweet's career record stands at 1,049-1,055 (.499) with a 478-432 (.525) mark at the Triple-A level.

Ken Oberkfell (Norfolk): Ken Oberkfell replaces John Stearns as the Norfolk skipper and will make his Triple-A debut in his ninth managerial campaign. Stearns is now a minor league catching instructor. The 48-year-old Oberkfell enters his fifth season as a manager in the Mets' Minor League system after spending last year with Double-A Binghamton. He piloted the B-Mets to a 76-66 record, a second place Divisional finish and an Eastern League playoff berth in his only season with the club. In 2003, Ken completed a two-year run with Class A St. Lucie by capturing the Florida State League Championship. Oberkfell's 2003 club finished 77-62 with a second half North Division Title and went 5-1 in the post-season to claim the Crown – the only Championship of his career. His 2002 St. Lucie team went 71-69. The Maryville, IL native made his Mets' debut in 2001, guiding Capital City to a 62-73 mark in the South Atlantic League. Prior to joining the New York system, Oberkfell spent four years as a manager in the Philadelphia system. In his first three years in the Phillies' chain, Ken led Class A Piedmont to a combined 215-208 record, then managed Clearwater (Florida State Lg.) to a 64-71 record in 2000. Oberkfell, a Houston, TX resident, actually made his managerial debut in 1995 in the independent Northeast League. He spent two seasons in the loop, piloting Sullivan (NY) in 1995 and Elmira a season later. A former infielder, Ken enjoyed an 18-year professional career that included parts of 16 seasons in the Major Leagues. He spent the majority of his career with St. Louis, but also suited up for Atlanta, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Houston, and California before retiring following the 1992 campaign. He finished his career with 29 HR, 436 RBI and a .278 average in 1,602 games and earned a World Series ring with the 1982 Cardinals' Championship club. Oberkfell's career managerial record in affiliated Leagues stands at 565-549 (.507).

Dave Trembley (Ottawa): Dave Trembley, one of the most successful active minor league managers, will mark his second season as a Triple-A skipper in 2005. The 53-year-old Trembley, who enters his 19th managerial season, replaces Tim Leiper as Ottawa's field boss. Leiper will pilot Lynchburg in the Pirates' organization in 2005. Dave enters his third season with Baltimore after leading the team's Double-A Bowie club to a combined 142-141 record over the past two seasons. In 2003, he was named the inaugural winner of the organization's Cal Ripken Sr. Player Development Award, and his 2004 BaySox were the only Orioles' affiliate to post a winning record. Before joining the Orioles, the Carthage, NY native had an extended run in the Chicago Cubs' chain. In nine seasons in the Cubs' system, Trembley earned a pair of League Manager-of-the-Year Awards (1995 – Florida State; 1999 – Southern) and led Daytona to the 1995 FSL Championship. In addition, he was named Baseball America's Class A Manager-of-the-Year in 1995 and managed in both the Double-A and Southern League All-Star Games in 1999. In 2001, Trembley won his 1,000th career game and was named by Baseball America as one of the Top Five Minor League Managers of the past 20 years. He also made his Triple-A managerial debut during his stint with Chicago, piloting Iowa to a 57-87 mark in 2000. In addition to the Cubs and Baltimore, the Daytona Beach Shores, FL resident has managed in the Pittsburgh and San Diego chains. He made his managerial debut with Class A Kinston in 1986 and won his first League Championship a season later, guiding Harrisburg to the Eastern League Title (he was also named the League's Manager-of-the-Year and Baseball America's Minor League Manager-of-the-Year that season). Dave, who began his career as a coach for the Wytheville Cubs in 1985, spent six seasons (1979-84) as the head coach at Antelope Valley Junior College in Los Angeles. Entering the 2005 campaign, his career record is 1,226-1,269 (.491).

Ron Johnson (Pawtucket): Ron Johnson continues his progression through the Boston Red Sox farm system, taking over Pawtucket in his sixth season with the organization. Johnson replaces Buddy Bailey, the second winningest manager in PawSox franchise history. Johnson spent the previous three seasons with Boston's Double-A affiliate, leading Portland (ME) to a 72-20 record in 2003 and a 69-73 mark last season. He guided Trenton, then Boston's Double-A club, to a 63-77 record in 2002. Ron, a native of Long Beach, CA joined the Boston organization in 2000, guiding Class A Sarasota to a 60-79 record. His second season with the club saw the team finish 54-83. Johnson spent eight seasons as a manager and six as a coach in the Kansas City organization before joining Boston. His previous experience at the Triple-A classification came in 1998 & 1999 with Omaha. In '98, he led the O-Royals to a 79-64 record, then followed with an 81-60 mark – the best mark of his career - and the PCL Central Division pennant in 1999. The 49-year-old Johnson led his first five clubs to .500 or better records and guided four to playoff berths. He made his managerial debut with Baseball City (Florida St. Lg.) in 1992, leading the club to a 71-60 record and advancing through two rounds of post-season play before falling in the playoff finals. Johnson moved on to Wilmington (DE) in 1993, posting a 74-65 record and advancing to the Carolina League Finals. He moved up to Double-A in 1994, leading Memphis to a 75-62 record before winning Texas League Manager-of-the-Year honors in 1995 as Wichita's skipper (that year the team went 72-64). Johnson, a former All-American at Fresno State University was selected by the Royals in the 24th Round of the 1978 June Draft. He spent parts of three seasons in the Major Leagues during an eight-year professional career, suiting up for the Royals (1982-83) and Expos (1984). He retired following the 1985 campaign. Johnson has a career managerial record of 904-903 (.500).

Pat Kelly (Richmond): Pat Kelly had a successful second season in Richmond last year and returns in 2005 looking to lead the R-Braves to another playoff berth. Kelly guided his 2004 Richmond club to a 79-62 record – the team's best record in 10 years – and the South Division Championship. The Braves won their first round playoff series before falling to Buffalo in the Governors' Cup Finals. Pat made his Richmond debut in 2003, leading the team to a disappointing 64-79. Before coming to the Braves' organization, Kelly spent nearly all of the 2000-02 seasons as a scout with the Toronto Blue Jays. Prior to 2003, the 49-year-old last managed in 2000, piloting Syracuse to a 15-19 record before being reassigned. Kelly also managed Syracuse in 1999, leading the club to a 73-71 record (3rd in the North Division). Pat also has IL experience with Ottawa as he spent the 1997 & ‘98 seasons with the Lynx. Pat led the '98 edition of the Lynx to a 69-74 record while his first Ottawa club finished 54-86 in '97. Kelly joined the Lynx in 1997 after two seasons with the Expos' Double-A Harrisburg affiliate. Pat led the Senators to the Eastern League Championship in 1996, securing the only title of his eighteen-year career. 1998 marked Kelly's fourth year leading Montreal's Triple-A affiliate as he guided Indianapolis of the American Assoc. to two second place finishes in 1991 and 1992. Kelly broke into the managerial ranks in 1986 with Charleston of the South Atlantic Lg. after spending three years coaching in the White Sox organization. He has also managed in the Padres' organization (1986-90) and in the Reds' system (1993-94). As a player, he spent eleven years in the minor leagues with four organizations, reaching the majors for three games with Toronto in 1980. Pat appeared in 133 games for the Syracuse Chiefs from 1978 to 1980. During his managerial career, Kelly's clubs have posted eight winning seasons and have compiled a 1,114-1,169 record (.488). Kelly's Triple-A record, which also includes one season with Las Vegas (PCL), stands at 541-584 (.481).

Phil Roof (Rochester): Phil Roof reached a personal milestone in 2004 – winning his 1,000th career game – and returns to Rochester in 2005 looking to build on the total. After piloting the Red Wings to a 68-75 mark in 2003, the team's first as a Minnesota Twins affiliate, Roof's 2004 Rochester squad finished 73-71 (T-2nd in the IL North). Roof returned to the dugout in 2003 after spending the 2001-02 seasons as a Triple-A hitting coach. 2004 will mark Roof's eleventh straight season working with Minnesota's Triple-A affiliate. He managed Salt Lake (PCL) from 1995-2000, never posting a losing record, and leading the Buzz to four playoff berths, including a pair of Finals appearances. The 63-year-old managed in the Triple-A All-Star Game (in Salt Lake) in 1996 and was named League Manager of the Year in 2000 as the Buzz finished with a Triple-A best 90-53 record. In addition to his six managerial seasons in Salt Lake, Phil has managed six more campaigns in other levels of the Twins' system. He made his managerial debut in 1982, leading Visalia to an 82-58 record and a berth in the California League Finals. He has skippered two clubs at the Double-A level: Orlando (Southern, 1983 & 1992) and Nashville (Southern, 1993-94). The Boaz, KY resident first managed at the Triple-A level in 1989, leading Portland (PCL) to a 72-72 record. Roof has seven seasons of coaching experience at the Major League level, five with Seattle (1984-88) and two with the Chicago Cubs (1990-91). The former catcher spent parts of 17 seasons in the Major Leagues, playing for nine clubs - Milwaukee (NL), California, Cleveland, Kansas City, Oakland, Milwaukee (AL), Minnesota, Chicago (AL), and Toronto - and counts eight Hall-of-Famers as teammates (Aaron, Mathews, Spahn, R. Jackson, Hunter, Fingers, Killebrew, Carew). Roof is one of five brothers who played Major League baseball. In his 14-year managerial career, Phil's clubs have posted a 1,034-964 record (.518) in nine winning seasons with a 684-605 (.531) mark at Triple-A.

Gene Lamont (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre): Gene Lamont returns to the Minor Leagues for the first time since 1985, taking over as manager in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Lamont replaces legendary Red Barons' skipper Marc Bombard who accepted a coaching position with Philadelphia after 8 seasons with the club. Lamont has spent the past 19 seasons as either a coach or manager at the Major League level. He served as Houston's 3B coach for each of the past 3 seasons and has held similar roles with Pittsburgh (‘86-91 & ‘96) and Boston (2001). Gene, a native of Rockford, IL made his Major League managerial debut in 1992, beginning a 3+ year run with the Chicago White Sox. He led his first ChiSox club to an 86-76 record, then followed with an AL West pennant in 1993. That season, the club finished 94-68 before losing to Toronto in the ALCS, earning Lamont the AL Manager-of-the-Year Award. He had Chicago in first place prior to the 1994 strike and spent the first two months of the 1995 campaign with the club. Lamont also spent four years as the manager in Pittsburgh (1997-2000), leading the Pirates to a combined 295-352 mark. He was runner-up for the NL Manager-of-the-Year Award in 1997. Before beginning his Major League career, Gene had a solid eight-year stint in the Kansas City system. He made his managerial debut with Class A Fort Myers (Florida St. Lg.) in 1978, leading the team to a 71-66 record. In 1980, he began a four-year term with Jacksonville (Southern Lg.). His most successful season with the Suns came in 1982 as the team finished with an 83-61 record before losing in the finals of the playoffs. The Sarasota resident was subsequently named the loop's Manager-of-the-Year. He also managed Triple-A Omaha for two seasons, posting a 68-86 record in 1984 and going 73-69 a year later. A former catcher, Lamont spent parts of five seasons in the Major Leagues with Detroit after being selected by the Tigers with the 13th overall selection in the 1965 June Draft (he also played in the IL with Richmond and Toledo). Gene's minor league managerial record stands at 569-577 (.497).

Marty Pevey (Syracuse): Marty Pevey returns for a second season in Syracuse after leading the club to a 66-78 record last year in his first Triple-A season. The SkyChiefs started the season slowly, but played at a .531 clip from July 1 on. The 43-year-old Pevey enters his ninth managerial campaign - all of which have come in the Toronto organization. Before joining Syracuse, Marty managed Double-A New Haven to a 79-63 record and a spot in the Eastern League Finals in 2003 and was selected the loop's Manager-of-the-Year. Prior to his one season with the Ravens, the Statesboro, GA native spent three seasons with Dunedin (Fl. State. Lg.), leading the team to a combined 218-190 record between 2000 & 2002. Pevey's best season with the D-Blue Jays came in 2000 as he led the club to an 84-54 record (the best mark of his career) and a place in the FSL playoffs and won the League's Manager-of-the-Year Award. He made his managerial debut in 1996 after completing a 15-year professional career. Marty's first two seasons were a struggle with Medicine Hat (combined 48-96 record), but he experienced success with Hagerstown in the South Atlantic League in 1998, leading the club to an 81-60 record and a first half division crown. He spent the 1999 season as the bullpen coach for the parent Blue Jays. The former catcher was selected by Minnesota in the 19th Round of the 1982 June Draft out of Georgia Southern University. The left-hander first reached the Triple-A level in 1986 with Louisville (then a St. Louis affiliate in the American Association). After two seasons with the then-Redbirds, Pevey joined Indianapolis for the 1988-89 campaigns and earned his only Major League promotion in 1989, appearing in 13 games for Montreal. Later in his career, he spent time with Syracuse (1991, 94), Toledo (1992-93), and Tacoma (1995) at the Triple-A level, making him the fourth ex-Syracuse player to manage the club since 1997 (Garth Iorg, Pat Kelly & Omar Malave were the others). Pevey's career managerial record stands at 495-487 (.504).

Larry Parrish (Toledo): Larry Parrish is back for a fourth season with Toledo following a disappointing 2004 campaign which saw the Hens finish 65-78. Amazingly, Parrish's 2003 edition of the Mud Hens also finished with a 65-78 record. Prior to the 2003-04 campaigns, Parrish's only other experience at the Triple-A level came in 1994 when, after opening the season as Detroit's Minor League hitting instructor, he took over the reigns of the Mud Hens from veteran Joe Sparks on May 2nd and led the team to a 56-62 record down the stretch. The 51-year-old Parrish made his managerial debut in 1992, leading the Niagara Falls club (New York-Penn.) to a 39-39 record. He returned to the club in 1993 and won his first League Championship as the Rapids went 47-31 and swept a pair of playoff series. After spending the entire 1995 season as an instructor, the Winter Haven, FL native again experienced an in-season change in 1996. He joined Jacksonville (Southern) on June 21st, piloting the club to a 36-31 record, the second half Divisional Title, and the Southern League Championship. From 1997 through September 1, 1998, Larry served as the bench coach for the parent Tigers. He assumed the role as Detroit's manager for the final month of the 1998 season (13-12 to close the season) and all of the 1999 campaign. In '99, his only full Major League managerial season, he led the Tigers to a 69-92 record. The Haines City, FL resident served as a Major League scout for Detroit during the 2000-2002 seasons. Before beginning his managerial career, Parrish enjoyed a 19-year professional career, spending parts of 15 seasons in the Major Leagues, then ending his career with two campaigns in Japan. In the Majors, he played for Montreal (1974-81), Texas (1982-88), and Boston (1988), earning two Major League All-Star Game berths ('79 & '87) and finishing his career with a .263 average, 256 home runs and 992 RBI. In his sixth minor league managerial season, Parrish' career record stands at 308-319 (.491) with a 186-218 (.460) mark at the helm of the Mud Hens.

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