John Shoemaker named Southern League Manager of the Year
August 31, 2006 - Southern League (SL1) News Release
MARIETTA, GA - The Southern League of Professional Baseball Clubs is pleased to announce that Jacksonville Suns' manager John Shoemaker has been named the Manager of the Year as voted upon by the league's field managers, radio broadcasters and print media.
Along with pitching coach Danny Darwin and hitting coach Mike Easler, Shoemaker led the Suns to the South Division's first half title, guiding his team to a 48-22 record that tied the 1998 club for the best half-record in Jacksonville Suns' history. The Suns are currently 83-52 overall and poised to make a postseason run.
The Suns enjoyed a franchise record 15-game winning streak from May 31 through June 15, during which they outscored their opponents 92-35 and shut them out twice.
Shoemaker took a team that was mixed with minor league veterans and Dodgers' top prospects and turned them into the most consistent team in the Southern League this season. He has seen twelve players receive promotions to higher levels over the course of the season and has managed his way through 80 transactions.
This season is Shoemaker's third at the helm of the Suns. In 2005, he led Jacksonville to the Southern League Championship and saw Baseball America name his club the Minor League Team of the Year. Jacksonville won the Southern League co-championship in 2001, Shoemaker's first year with the Suns.
Shoemaker has worked in the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization for 29 years, serving as a player, manager and defensive instructor. He currently has a 1,017-991 (.506) career record in 16 seasons as a minor league manager. He has led his clubs to three league championships and has reached the postseason six times.
The Vero Beach, FL resident was previously named the Southern League's Manager of the Year in 2001. He is on a select list of managers that includes standouts Charlie Manuel, Stump Merrill, Ron Gardenhire, Jerry Manuel and Terry Francona. Shoemaker is the only manager in Southern League history to win the award twice.
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Southern League Stories from August 31, 2006
- Chattanooga defeats Jaxx 3-1 - Jackson Generals
- Stars cap remarkable month of August with shutout win - Huntsville Stars
- BayBears topple Smokies 9-3 - Tennessee Smokies
- BayBears win sixth in a row, 9-3 - Mobile BayBears
- Braves take game one from Biscuits, 4-2 - Mississippi Braves
- Biscuits' Andy Sonnanstine named to S.L. Postseason All-Star Team - Montgomery Biscuits
- Ernesto postpones series opener at Carolina - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Carolina-Jacksonville Postponed - Carolina Mudcats
- 2006 BayBears player awards announced - Mobile BayBears
- Barone joins Mudcats, Brauer sent down - Carolina Mudcats
- Devine heads to the bigs - Mississippi Braves
- Four Tennessee Smokies named to Postseason All-Star squad - Tennessee Smokies
- Southern League honors Shoemaker, Lundberg - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Joey Votto named Southern League Most Valuable Player - SL1
- Spike Lundberg named Southern League Most Outstanding Pitcher - SL1
- John Shoemaker named Southern League Manager of the Year - SL1
- Southern League announces Postseason All-Star Team - SL1
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