Isotopes' Griffin Named Sports Turf Manager of the Year
August 26, 2016 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1) News Release
Albuquerque Isotopes Director of Field Operations, Casey Griffin, is the recipient of the Pacific Coast League's 2016 Sports Turf Manager of the Year, league president Branch B. Rickey announced Friday. Griffin previously won this award in 2014, and last year finished runner-up, earning a Presidential Commendation.
Voting for the award was conducted by the 16 field managers and PCL on-field officials; it is based on 11 different categories, from the field setup for batting practice to the overall playing surface during the game. Griffin's recognition makes him the PCL's candidate for the Sports Turf Managers Association's (STMA) Triple-A Sports Turf Manager of the Year, awarded annually at the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings.
The STMA honored Griffin earlier this year with their inaugural Stars and Stripes award, given to the best Fourth of July art design or mowing pattern in a vote conducted through social media. Griffin's accolades from STMA also include the 2013 Professional Baseball Field of the Year.
"I'm humbled to represent the Isotopes organization and to be recognized by the PCL for this award," Griffin said. "It truly exemplifies the group effort put in by our entire crew through the season, most notably our full time staff of Clint Belau, Davin Sandia and Brenden Shaffer. The direct impact that we, as sports turf managers, can have on the game is a direct correlation on why we love to do what we do."
Griffin is in his eighth season with the Isotopes, serving in his current position since 2013. The Oregon native formerly spent four years in the golf course industry before pursuing his sports turf passion for baseball. After a stint with Single-A Eugene's grounds crew, Griffin attended Oregon State University. He earned a bachelor's degree in horticulture with an emphasis in turf management. With Oregon State, Griffin tended to the athletic facilities, working primarily on the baseball, softball and soccer fields.
"Casey is a true professional, and it's great that he and his entire crew are being honored for the job they do," Albuquerque Vice President and General Manager John Traub said. "Casey is defined by his work ethic, pride, skill and integrity. I know that there is nobody more deserving to win this award."
Also getting recognized for their work in this year's Sports Turf Manager voting are El Paso's Nathan Jones and Salt Lake's Brian Soukup, who will receive Presidential Commendations from the PCL.
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