Fantastic Coaching Staff Vital in Defending Championship
May 3, 2006 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
San Diego Surf Dawgs News Release
The San Diego Surf Dawgs return in 2006 with a familiar face leading the way. Team Manager Terry Kennedy was instrumental in guiding the Surf Dawgs to the 2005 Golden Baseball League Championship. This year he brings ex-Major League ballplayers Tim Blackwell and Steve Ontiveros to help mold this year's crop of players. Both come from diverse baseball backgrounds, but have roots deep in the history of baseball.
Terry Kennedy 14 year professional playing career began when he was drafted sixth overall by the St. Louis Cardinals. He then went on to become a four-time All-Star catcher, part of the Padres World Series team in 1984 and the Giants World Series team in 1989. Kennedy began his managing career in 1993, spending six years in the minor leagues. He won his third career Manager of the Year award last year, his first with the Golden Baseball League, leading the Surf Dawgs to a 52-38 record.
Tim Blackwell had a spectacular amateur career at Crawford High School and then Grossmont College in the San Diego area before being drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 1970 amateur draft. Since retiring, he has managed 13 teams in Major League Baseball farm systems, winning championships in the South Atlantic League and Northern League. In addition he was named New York-Penn League Manager of the Year in 1989. Most recently he managed the 2003 Milwaukee Brewers' California League team. He will be the pitching coach this season.
Steve Ontiveros was drafted as a third baseman by the San Francisco Giants in the 1969 amateur draft. He spent eight years in MLB and, then, in 1980 he became the first million-dollar signing of a foreign player by the Japanese League. He led the Seibu Lions to Japan Series Titles in 1982 and 1983. His lifetime batting average of .312 is 17th on the all-time career list. For the past seven seasons, Ontiveros has been coaching at the high school level. Ontiveros is being brought on to be the hitting coach in 2006 after showcasing brilliance in his playing career.
The Surf Dawgs begin their title defense on June 1st in Yuma, Ariz when they take on the Scorpions. They return home for their home opener on June 5th, for a 7:05 affair, at Tony Gwynn Stadium located at San Diego State University.
Golden Baseball League Stories from May 3, 2006
- Flyers to Hold National Anthem Auditions - Orange County Flyers
- Fantastic Coaching Staff Vital in Defending Championship - San Diego Surf Dawgs
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