Isotopes name Woodson new manager; Coaching staff is set
Published on November 10, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
The Albuquerque Isotopes today announced the coaching staff for the 2004 season with Tracy Woodson named as its new manager. Jeff Schwarz will be the new pitching coach, while Matt Stark returns for a second year as Albuquerque's hitting coach. General Manager John Traub made the announcements.
Woodson, 41, spent the 2002 season leading the Florida Marlins AA Carolina franchise to the Southern League Championship. Woodson will enter his seventh season as a minor league manager, having spent three years in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and two in the San Diego Padres system before joining the Marlins last season.
The Richmond, VA native is not a stranger to Albuquerque, having played parts of three seasons with the Dukes from 1987-89 after being a third round draft pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1984. He played five Major League seasons as an infielder with the Dodgers and St. Louis, hitting .247 with five homers and 50 RBI in 215 games, including a World Championship with the 1988 Dodgers.
Woodson's managerial career began with the Pirates system, as he compiled a 162-192 record with Erie (Rookie League, 1998), A-Hickory (1999), and A-Lynchburg (2000). Woodson then joined the Padres system, leading AA-Mobile to a 65-73 record in 2001 and A-Fort Wayne to a 69-68 record in 2002.
Woodson spends the off-season as an NCAA basketball official. He and his wife Lisa, the assistant women's basketball coach at Jacksonville University, reside in Jacksonville, FL.
Schwarz, 39, comes to Albuquerque as the new pitching coach after spending the 2003 season serving in the same capacity for A-Jupiter. Under Schwarz, the Hammerheads led the Florida State League in pitching with a 3.09 ERA. The Fort Pierce, FL., native spent two seasons in the Majors with the Chicago White Sox and California Angels, posting a 2-2 record and 4.17 ERA in 54 appearances.
Stark, 38, returns for his second year as Isotopes hitting coach and third in the Marlins system. The Isotopes finished the 2003 season seventh in the Pacific Coast League with a .277 batting average. Stark was a catcher in the Major Leagues with Toronto (1987) and the Chicago White Sox (1990).
Pacific Coast League Stories from November 10, 2003
- Beavers Announce 2004 Field Staff - Portland Beavers
- River Cats Named Minor League Team of the Year - Sacramento River Cats
- Isotopes name Woodson new manager; Coaching staff is set - Albuquerque Isotopes
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