CarL1 Salem RidgeYaks

Pankovits to Manage Avalanche in \'08

Published on November 30, 2007 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem RidgeYaks News Release


SALEM, VA-The Salem Avalanche, Advanced Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, will have a familiar face in the third-base coach's box in 2008, as Jim Pankovits returns to the Roanoke Valley for his third turn as Manager of the Astros' Carolina League entry.

Pankovits, a Pennington Gap, VA, native, returned to a managerial role in 2006 - his first Season in Salem - after having spent the prior six seasons as a roving defense instructor for the Houston Astros' farm system. He becomes the first manager in modern Avalanche history to take the reins in Salem for a third-consecutive season. Pankovits played in the Major Leagues over a span of six seasons, including parts of five seasons with the Astros. He played in two games for the Boston Red Sox during the 1990 season.

"I couldn't be happier to be coming back to Salem," said Pankovits. "It's a really nice area, with a great facility, and wonderful people to work with. We've got a good thing going, and I hope it can continue."

Pankovits, 52, has amassed a 155-121 (.562 winning percentage) as skipper of the Avalanche. His 155 wins places him at number two on the all-time Salem wins list, just six victories shy of the top slot held by Johnny Lipon following his two seasons at the helm of the Salem Pirates in 1974-75. Pankovits has led the Avalanche to the post-season in each of his first two seasons with Salem, including an improbable run at the Mills Cup in 2007 after entering the Playoffs as a Wild Card entry. He also garnered Carolina League Manager of the Year honors after the 2006 season.

"Jim has all the qualities you look for in a Manager," said John Katz, Avalanche VP / General Manager, who's first season in Salem was also Pankovits' first year with the Avalanche. "He's a leader, a teacher and a motivator. 'Pank' has the ability to get more out of the players that he has than anyone I've had the pleasure of working with, and we're fortunate to have him lead this ballclub again in 2008."

Hitting Coach Alex Eckelman has been promoted from Class-A Lexington and will replace Chuck Carr on Pankovits's staff in 2008. Eckelman, 33, spent nine seasons as a player in the Minor Leagues, including his final two seasons in 2004 and 2005 when he split time between Double-A and Triple-A in the Astros system. A middle infielder during his playing career, Alex spent parts of two seasons in the Carolina League with the then-Prince William and Potomac Cannons. He played his college ball at Ohio State, garnering Big Ten Conference All-Star honors at second base in 1997. He was signed by the Cardinals as an undrafted Free Agent in 1997 and played his first affiliated professional ball in Johnson City, TN.

The dugout will have another familiar face back in 2008, as Athletic Trainer Eric Montague returns for his fifth season in Salem. Montague spent five years with the New York Mets organization (1997-2001) before joining the Astros in 2002. Eric served as a student trainer at Mississippi State University while earning his BS degree in Fitness. It will be his eighth season on the Houston farm.

The Astros will be announcing the Pitching Coach for the Salem club in the near future.

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Season Tickets and 10-game / 20-game General Admission Ticket Books make great Holiday Gifts and Stocking Stuffers. To purchase Season Tickets or Ticket Books, call the Avalanche at 540-389-3333. To order your Ticket Books online, visit the Avalanche on the web at www.salemavalanche.com.

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Carolina League Stories from November 30, 2007


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