Johnson Claims 2013 PCL Manager of the Year
Published on August 30, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1) News Release
ROUND ROCK, Texas - Keith Johnson of the Salt Lake Bees has been named the 2013 Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year, the league office announced today.
Johnson was voted the league's top skipper after a balloting of the 16 field managers and media representatives from each PCL city.
Johnson, 42, and his Bees earned a playoff spot Thursday night with an 8-4 victory over Tacoma that clinched the Pacific Northern Division. With four games remaining, Salt Lake holds a 78-62 record, which is tied for second best in the league. The Bees are headed to the postseason for the first time since 2008.
The 2013 season marks Johnson's third with Salt Lake where he has gone a combined 213-215.
Prior to joining the Bees, he spent two seasons managing the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (2009-10) and a single season captaining the Single-A Cedar Rapids Kernels (2008). He has compiled a career record of 424-422 in six minor league seasons for affiliates of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Johnson has also served as hitting coach at three different levels for the Angels including Double-A Arkansas (2006-07), Short-Season Orem (2005) and Mesa of the Arizona Fall League (2004).
Before his managing career unfolded, Johnson enjoyed a 12-year professional career as an infielder, including stints in the PCL with the Albuquerque Isotopes (1996, 1998), Tucson Sidewinders (1999), Edmonton Trappers (2000) and the Las Vegas 51s (2001). He played his final two professional seasons with the Salt Lake Bees in 2002 and 2003 where he batted .283 with 26 home runs and 120 RBI. Johnson hit .264 with 118 homers and 600 RBI in 1,265 career minor league games.
Among those who also received votes for the Manager of the Year award were Steve Scarsone (Sacramento), Tony DeFrancesco (Oklahoma City), Mike Jirschele (Omaha), Pat Murphy (Tucson), Wally Backman (Las Vegas), Lorenzo Bundy (Albuquerque), and Ron Hassey (New Orleans).
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 30, 2013
- 6-4 Win Keeps Pace in the Division Race - Omaha Storm Chasers
- RedHawks Shut Out in Series Opener - Oklahoma City Comets
- Zephyrs Top Topes in Opener - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Redbirds Soar over the RedHawks, 4-0 - Memphis Redbirds
- Zephyrs Blank Albuquerque, 5-0 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sounds Open Final Homestand with 3-2 Victory - Nashville Sounds
- 2013 Mayor's Trophy Recipient - Wilmer Flores - Las Vegas Aviators
- RedHawks Game Notes: August 30, 2013 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Keith Johnson Named 2013 PCL Manager of the Year - Salt Lake Bees
- Johnson Claims 2013 PCL Manager of the Year - PCL1
- RedHawks Stakes Winner to be Selected Tonight - Oklahoma City Comets
- Monell, Grizzlies Fall 3-2 in Sacramento - Fresno Grizzlies
- Chasers Fall into Tie for Top Spot - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Bees Clinch PCL's Pacific North Division Title - Salt Lake Bees
- Rainiers Stopped By Salt Lake, 8-4 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Reno doubles up on Tucson - Tucson Padres
- Weeks Homers, River Cats Win at Home, 3-2 - Sacramento River Cats
- Aces Win in Ninth, 2-1 - Reno Aces
- Martinez Clinches Walk-Off RedHawks Win in Extras - Oklahoma City Comets
- Sounds Lose Series Finale 5-4 in Extras - Nashville Sounds
- Topes Steam Roll Express in Home Finale - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Express Doubled up by Isotopes 10-5 - Round Rock Express
- Sky Sox Fall in Home Finale - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
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