AtL Lancaster Stormers

Hobson to Lead Atlantic League All-Stars

Published on July 7, 2014 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


Lancaster manager Butch Hobson, who has posted nine straight winning seasons in the Atlantic League, has been selected to head the squad of Atlantic League All-Stars that will take on the Sugar Land Skeeters on Wednesday, July 17 at Sugar Land's Constellation Field, it was announced today by the league office.

Hobson has won one Atlantic League title, has taken nine league teams to the playoffs and has logged 921 wins, second only to Sparky Lyle in league history. He is a three-time Atlantic League Manager of the Year. Overall, the former Red Sox third baseman has posted 1,687 wins as a professional manager, 207 of which were at the helm of the Boston Red Sox.

He will take his hitting coach Stan Cliburn with him to Sugar Land. The former California Angels catcher has been coaching or managing in the minor leagues since 1988, including nine seasons in the Minnesota Twins organization form 2001-09, where, for eight years, he was teamed with his identical twin, Stu, who served as his pitching coach. Cliburn has won 1,488 games as a manager.

"The league asked me to do it, and I'm excited to represent the Atlantic League and be part of the festivities in Sugar Land's first All-Star Game," said Hobson.

Three Lancaster players have been named to the squad.

Atlantic League home run leader Cole Garner will start in the outfield. The right-handed hitting Californian has been stellar in all categories. He ranks in the league's top five in batting at .333 and tied for second in RBI with 50. His 15 homers top teammate Brock Kjeldgaard by three for the number one spot in the league. Garner also has 17 doubles and a pair of triples to go along with 12 stolen bases.

"Garner has certainly had an All-Star first half," said Hobson. "He's done everything for us and is a class act."

Right-handed ace Chris Schwinden will be on Hobson's pitching staff. The one-time New York Met is 8-1, tying him for the lead among league starting pitchers in wins. He also ranks second in ERA at 2.65, following his 6-3 win over York on Sunday afternoon. Schwinden missed three starts, signing with the Texas Rangers on May 15. The California native has thrown at least six innings in each of his last six starts.

"Schwinden is, without a doubt, one of the best starters in the league," said Hobson.

The third player in the Lancaster contingent is shortstop Lance Zawadzki, who was selected to replace injured second baseman Yusuke Kajimoto on the All-Star squad. The slick fielding shortstop has been guilty of only two errors since Memorial Day weekend. He is currently on a seven-game hitting streak and is batting .224 with six homers and 24 RBI. Zawadzki has seven steals.

"It's a great opportunity for Lance," added Hobson. "He lives right in San Antonio, so he'll be near home. He's done it all along with his glove, and his bat has come around lately, too."

All five will depart for Texas on Monday, July 14 and will join the remainder of the Lancaster squad when they arrive on July 18 to open a six-game series following the All-Star break.

The Lancaster Barnstormers are entering their tenth season as a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Home games are played at Clipper Magazine Stadium in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Please call 717.509.HITS (4487) or visit LancasterBarnstormers.com for more information.

Check out the Lancaster Stormers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Atlantic League Stories from July 7, 2014


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.

OurSports Central