SL1 Jackson Generals

Mariners Announce Jackson's 2016 Coaching Staff

Published on December 4, 2015 under Southern League (SL1)
Jackson Generals News Release


Jackson, Tenn. - The Seattle Mariners announced coaching assignments for each of their minor league affiliates on Friday, and the Jackson Generals will have a new manager. Daren Brown, who briefly managed the Mariners in 2010, will take over as manager. Roy Howell returns to the staff as the team's hitting coach after finishing last year as the team's skipper and Andrew Lorraine will serve as pitching coach.

Brown is not an entirely unfamiliar face to the Generals, as he was the team's hitting coach for a little more than three weeks in 2015. He spent the past two seasons as Seattle's Bunting & Baserunning Coordinator after managing Triple-A Tacoma for seven seasons. The former pitcher is the winningest manager in franchise history, amassing 433 wins with the Rainiers. He has a pair of stints on the Major League staff in Seattle, serving as the team's interim manager for 50 games in 2010 and third base coach in 2013.

This will be Brown's 16th season in the Mariners organization and his 13th as a minor league manager. In addition to his time in Tacoma (2007-2013), Brown has managed Low-A Wisconsin (2003), High-A San Bernardino/Inland Empire (2001-2002, 2005) and Double-A San Antonio (2006). He has also managed the independent Amarillo Dillas of the Texas-Louisiana League.

Brown was born in Holdenville, Oklahoma and currently lives in Amarillo, Texas. As a player, he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 29th round of the 1989 MLB Draft out of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He spent five years in the organization, including parts of three seasons in the Southern League with the Knoxville Blue Jays.

This marks the third-straight season that Roy Howell has began as Jackson's hitting coach. The 11-year Major League veteran finished 2015 as the team's manager after Jim Horner accepted a position with Washington State University, guiding the team to a 22-41 record in the Second Half. He was slated to be the team's hitting coach in 2014 as well, but wound up managing Triple-A Tacoma to a 74-70 record after Rich Donnelly was named the Mariners' third-base coach late in Spring Training.

Howell is in his fifth year as a coach for Seattle, having spent 2012 and 2013 with the High Desert Mavericks in the California League. He previously coached for six seasons in the San Diego Padres organization from 2000 to 2005 before managing the San Luis Obispo Rattlers of the California Collegiate League and the Road Warriors of the Atlantic League.

The California native was the fourth overall pick in the 1972 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers, going on to play in the Majors for 11 seasons with three different teams. Howell hit .261 with 80 home runs and 454 RBIs over a 1,112-game career. The catcher made an All-Star team with Toronto in 1978 and played in the 1982 World Series for Milwaukee against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Andrew Lorraine will round out the staff as the team's pitching coach. The Los Angeles native is in his seventh season with the Mariners after serving the past two seasons as pitching coach for the team's High-A affiliates in High Desert and Bakersfield respectively. Lorraine has worked in the same capacity for Low-A Clinton (2012-2013), Short Season Everett (2011) and Rookie level Pulaski (2010).

The southpaw spent parts of six seasons in the big leagues, pitching for the California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers from 1994 to 2002. The Angels took Lorraine in the fourth round of the 1993 draft out of Stanford.

In addition to the coaches, B.J. Downie returns as the team's trainer for a third-straight season. The Oregon native has served in the same capacity for four other Seattle affiliates, and has also worked for the San Francisco Giants in 2002 and 2003. Aaron Reis will be the team's Performance Specialist after spending last season with High-A Bakersfield. Prior to his work with Seattle, Reis spent two seasons in the Kansas City Royals organization.

The 2016 season is right around the corner, with Jackson opening up at home on April 7 against the Montgomery Biscuits. Flex Packages and Season Tickets are available now! Flex Plans include 10 undated reserved seat vouchers and $100 in gift certificates- a $220 value- for just $50, and season tickets are only $300 for a limited time! Buy the perfect Christmas gift for the baseball fan in your family by giving the team a call at (731) 988.5299, stopping by the park or going online at jacksongeneralsbaseball.com.

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Southern League Stories from December 4, 2015


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.

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