Former Rock Cats Skipper Named Manager Of Pittsburgh Pirates

Published on November 8, 2007 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - Former New Britain Rock Cats manager John Russell, 46, was selected earlier this week as the new Field Manager of the National League's Pittsburgh Pirates. In accepting the post, the Odessa, TX resident became the second former New Britain manager to become a Major League field boss. Butch Hobson managed the Boston Red Sox from 1992-1994 after making out line-up cards in the Hardware City in 1989 and 1990. Russell, an Oklahoma native who played his college ball for the OU Sooners, managed the Rock Cats from 1998 - 2000 and led New Britain to the Eastern League's Northern Division Championship in 1998. Later that year, he was named the Eastern League's "Best Managerial Prospect" by Baseball America.

John Russell's 193 Wins are the second most in New Britain franchise history; Russell trails only Stan Cliburn (367) who served in the Rock Cats dugout for five seasons. Many former Rock Cats developed under Russell's Connecticut tutelage including future American League All-Stars Torii Hunter and A.J. Pierzynski. Others who played under Russell include 1B Doug Mientkiewicz and one of the heroes of the 2008 World Series, OF Bobby Kielty. Both blossomed under Russell - a tireless worker who has long been highly-regarded as an effective communicator and baseball instructor.

Russell was selected by the National League's Philadelphia Phillies in the 1st Round of the 1982 Draft. A Catcher, Russell appeared in 448 games for three different Major League teams - Philadelphia, Atlanta and Texas - and was behind the plate when Nolan Ryan tossed his sixth no-hitter on June 11, 1990. He most recently served as Manager of the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate in Ottawa for the past two seasons.

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