Newly Christened Yuma Panthers Name Garry Templeton Manager
February 10, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
Yuma Panthers News Release
(Yuma, AZ. February 10th, 2012) Godfather Media Inc. has announced that the North American League minor league baseball franchise in Yuma, Arizona will be known as the Yuma Panthers. The Panthers name dates back to the early 1950s in Yuma, as the Yuma Panthers played from 1950-1952 in the Sunset League. Formerly the Scorpions, the franchise is digging into the distant baseball past and will be called the Yuma Panthers, with purple as the primary team color. Godfather Media is offering up shares in the team to local investors, starting at $1 per share with a minimum purchase of a 1,000 shares.
Following the announcement of the new Panthers name, former three-time National League All-Star Garry Templeton was announced as the team's manager for the upcoming 2012 season. Templeton's Major League playing career spanned 15 years, the bulk of which was spent playing for the San Diego Padres after the shortstop was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals. In addition to being named to the National League All-Star team in 1977, 1979, and 1985, Templeton won the Silver Slugger award in 1980 and again in 1984. He is widely considered one of the best Padres' shortstops in franchise history. Following his playing career, Templeton started managing at the minor league level in 1998. In 2000 and 2001, Templeton managed Pacific Coast League teams at the Triple-A level as he took the helm for the Edmonton Trappers and the Salt Lake Stingers, respectively. In 2010, Templeton led the Chico Outlaws to a Golden Baseball League Championship. Last season, Templeton managed the Na Koa Ikaika Maui of the North American League. Currently, Templeton is managing the Yuma Scorpions team in the developmental Arizona Winter League as he scouts and looks to sign players for his 2012 Yuma Panthers squad.
The Yuma Panthers and manager Garry Templeton will begin play in late May in the North American League, competing in the Northern Division.
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North American League Stories from February 10, 2012
- Newly Christened Yuma Panthers Name Garry Templeton Manager - Yuma Panthers
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