New Sky Sox Skipper Will Be Announced in the Coming Days
Published on May 29, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Colorado Rockies announced today that Colorado Springs Sky Sox manager Tom Runnells has been promoted to the big leagues and will become the Rockies new bench coach replacing Jim Tracy who was named the Rockies new Interim Manager after the firing of former manager Clint Hurdle today. Runnells' replacement with the Sky Sox has yet to be determined but will be announced in the next few days.
With the 2009 season, Runnells began his sixth season with the Rockies organization and fourth with the Sky Sox after managing Double-A Tulsa during the 2004-05 seasons. At the time of his promotion, Runnells, 53, had guided the Sky Sox to a 28-18 record in 2009 which was the second best record in the Pacific Coast League and good for first place and a game and a half lead in the Pacific North Division. Runnells compiled a 234-242 (.492) record with the Sky Sox in his three and a half seasons with his 234 wins ranking as the second most for a manager in Sky Sox history behind Brad Mills (271 wins, 1994-96).
Runnells also has 21 years of experience as a manager and coach including two years of Major League managerial experience with the Montreal Expos in 1991-92. With the Expos, he managed 149 games over parts of those two seasons and compiled a 68-81 record.
After retiring as a player in 1986, Runnells managed in the Reds system for two seasons (1987-88) before managing and coaching in the Expos (1989-1992) and Detroit Tigers (1993-2003) organizations. He managed the Southern League Champion Chattanooga Lookouts in 1988 and the American Association Champion Indianapolis Indians in 1989.
For more information please contact Mike Hobson at (719) 597-1449 or through e-mail at prdept@skysox.com.
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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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