Knights Coaching Staff Returns for 2004 Season
Published on January 22, 2004 under International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
FORT MILL, S.C. - The Charlotte Knights announce today that their entire coaching staff from the 2003 season will return for the 2004 season. Manager Nick Capra has guided four of his last six teams to the postseason and has compiled a career record of 446-462 (.491) in nine seasons, including a 129-158 (.449) mark with the Knights. Capra will again be joined on by pitching coach Curt Hasler, hitting coach Gregg Ritchie, and trainer Scott Johnson.
Nick Capra, 45, enters his third season in Charlotte as manager of the Knights and his ninth as a skipper in the Chicago White Sox organization. Last season he led the Knights to a 74-70 record and a second place finish in the International League's South Division. Capra played professionally for 17 seasons and spent part of five seasons in the major leagues with Texas (1982-83, 85), Kansas City (1988) and Texas again (1991). He completed his playing career with the Charlotte Knights in 1995 while in the Marlins organization. That season he was named to the International League All-Star team and finished the year hitting .256 with nine home runs, 51 RBI and 60 runs scored.
Curt Hasler, 38, returns for his third season as the Charlotte Knights pitching coach and enters his 14th season in the White Sox organization. Hasler was promoted to the Knights in the middle of the 2002 season after Charlotte pitching coach, Kirk Champion was promoted to the minor league roving pitching instructor. The former right-hander pitched in the White Sox organization from 1987-1991 and posted a career record of 34-30. Hasler is married to his wife Mary and has two children, Andrew and Alyssa, and resides in South Bend, Indiana.
Gregg Ritchie, 40, starts his second season in Charlotte with the Knights and enters his ninth season in the White Sox organization. Ritchie was promoted from Double-A Birmingham last season on May 22nd to replace Greg Walker who was promoted to Chicago as the White Sox hitting coach. Under his guidance in 2002, the Barons led the Southern League in team batting average (.269) and stolen bases (220). Ritchie played professionally for 10 seasons, with the San Francisco Giants organization, Texas Rangers organization, with Monterrey of the Mexican League, and in Taiwan.
Scott Johnson, 43, returns for his sixth season as trainer for the Charlotte Knights and enters his 16th season in the White Sox organization. Was named 2001 and 2002 International League Trainer of the Year and was also named trainer for the Team USA Baseball World Cup that competed in Chinese Taipei in 2001.
"I am very excited to have Nick Capra and our coaching staff return for the 2004 season," said Knights Vice President/General Manager Bill Blackwell. "I think Nick, Curt and Gregg did an excellent job last season keeping our players motivated and focused and I look forward to great things in 2004."
International League Stories from January 22, 2004
- Indians Announce Dates for Baseball in Education - Indianapolis Indians
- Knights Coaching Staff Returns for 2004 Season - Charlotte Knights
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