SAL1 Lexington Legends

Langbehn to lead Legends in 2007

Published on December 14, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release


LEXINGTON, KY. - The Houston Astros announced today that Gregg Langbehn has been selected to be the field manager of the Lexington Legends in 2007. Pitching coach Charley Taylor, hitting coach Alex Eckelman and trainer J.D. Shields will join Langbehn in Lexington.

"We are very excited about the Legends field staff in 2007," said Legends General Manager Kevin Kulp. "Gregg has been a very successful manager in his three seasons at Tri-City and we are confident that he'll continue to do well."

Langbehn, who was the hitting coach for the Legends in 2003, will be managing for his fourth year in the Houston organization. In 2006, Langbehn served his third season as manager of the Tri-City ValleyCats. Behind Langbehn, the ValleyCats captured the 2006 New York-Penn League's Stedler Division with a 43-31 record, marking their second division title in three years.

"I have so many fond memories of Lexington having been there in 2003 when working with Russ Nixon," Langbehn said. "I'm really looking forward to the opportunity of working with the Legends and with so many talented young players in the Astros system."

Joining Langbehn as the Legends hitting coach is former Astros minor league infielder Alex Eckelman. The 30-year-old played in the minors from 1997-2005. During the 2005 season, Eckelman hit .250 (42x168) in 61 games for Round Rock and .274 (23x84) in 26 games for Corpus Christi.

Charley Taylor will return to the Legends for his seventh season as pitching coach with the team and his 26th year overall in the Houston system. Last season, Taylor led the Legends to the fifth best ERA (3.58) in the South Atlantic League.

"We are really happy to have Charley Taylor back in 2007. He's a terrific coach plus he's been a part of the Legends from the very beginning so we think of him as part of our front office family," Kulp added.

J.D. Shields will become Lexington's athletic trainer after serving in the same position at Rookie League Greeneville for three seasons.

The Legends will open the 2007 season at Applebee's Park on April 5th against the Delmarva Shorebirds. Season ticket packages and partial season mini-plans are available at the Applebee's Park box office. Call the box office at 859-422-RUNS (7867) for more information.

Check out the Lexington Legends Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from December 14, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central