Familiar Faces Return To Wizards Dugout

January 14, 2008 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Fort Wayne TinCaps News Release

Fort Wayne, IN - For the second time since becoming an affiliate of the San Diego Padres, the Fort Wayne Wizards will have a familiar face as manager. Doug Dascenzo was named on Monday as manager of the Wizards, announced Grady Fuson, Padres Vice President for Scouting and Player Development.

Dascenzo is in his 10th season in the Padres' minor league organization and third year as a manager. He will be joined in the dugout by pitching coach Tom Bradley, who held the same role with Fort Wayne in 2006 and was with the Eugene Emeralds last year. The hitting coach will be Tom Tornincasa, who was in the same capacity for the Wizards from 2000 until 2004 and was part of the San Antonio Missions Texas League championship in 2007.

"The coaching staff coming to Fort Wayne this year is very strong," Wizards General Mike Nutter said. "All three of our coaches have extensive experience in the San Diego system and all three are familiar with Fort Wayne."

Former Wizards manager Randy Ready and former hitting coach Max Venable were both assigned to the Portland Beavers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Padres. Former pitching coach Steve Webber was named the pitching coach of San Antonio and Wally Whitehurst, who was the Fort Wayne pitching coach in 2007, will serve as pitching coach for the Lake Elsinore Storm of the California League.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous Managers and Coaching Staffs for the Fort Wayne Wizards as an affiliate with the San Diego Padres

SEASON MANAGER PITCHING COACH HITTING COACH

1999 Dan Simonds Tony Phillips Eric Bullock

2000 Craig Colbert Darren Balsley Tom Tornincasa

2001 Tom Lawless/Don Werner Mike Harkey Tom Tornincasa

2002 Tracy Woodson Gary Lance Tom Tornincasa

2003 Gary Jones Mike Harkey Tom Tornincasa

2004 Randy Ready Steve Webber Tom Tornincasa

2005 Randy Ready Steve Webber Max Venable

2006 Randy Ready Tom Bradley Max Venable

2007 Doug Dascenzo Wally Whitehurst Bob Skube

2008 Dough Dascenzo Tom Bradley Tom Tornincasa

• Discuss this story on the Midwest League message board...

Midwest League Stories from January 14, 2008

• Ryno Pack Highlights New Mini-Plan Ticket Packages - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Familiar Faces Return To Wizards Dugout - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Former Bees Competing in Caribbean Playoff Series - Burlington Bees
• Three Former Snappers Heading to Twins Spring Training As Non-Roster Invitees - Beloit Sky Carp
• Winter Banquet Raises $42,000; Dombrowski, Van Slyke Excite Crowd - West Michigan Whitecaps

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.

Other Recent Fort Wayne TinCaps Stories

• TinCaps Win 3rd Straight
• TinCaps Win Homestand Opener
• Leo De Vries Named MWL Player of the Week
• 'Caps Close Trip with Dramatic Win
• Early Lead Doesn't Last at Lansing