PCL1 Memphis Redbirds

Redbirds welcome new manager Danny Sheaffer

June 12, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Memphis Redbirds News Release


Former Redbirds player Danny Sheaffer was named as the new Memphis Redbirds manager by St. Louis Cardinals Director of Player Development Bruce Manno in an afternoon press conference Tuesday at AutoZone Park.

Sheaffer took over for Tom Spencer starting with Tuesday's home game vs. Fresno. Spencer, in his first year with the Cardinals farm system, was reassigned within the organization after posting a 22-41 record through Monday night. He'll now serve as the Cardinals' minor league outfield and baserunning instructor. Pitching coach Dyar Miller and hitting coach Tommy Gregg will maintain their current positions with the Redbirds.

"Based on what our club has done here, we felt there was a need to make a change in leadership," Manno said. "These are tough decisions, and I will say that certainly Tom Spencer is a good baseball man. He was a good baseball man when we brought him here. He's still a good baseball man. I'm thrilled that we're able to keep him in the organization and have him in a capacity that's he's very good at - as a teacher."

Sheaffer, 41, has managed in the St. Louis system for the last two seasons and guided the Peoria Chiefs to the Class-A Midwest League title in 2002. This year, he was serving as the Cardinals' minor league catching instructor. Sheaffer managed the Cardinals' Double-A affiliate, the New Haven Ravens of the Eastern League, in 2001. He began his managerial career in the Chicago Cubs organization with Class-A Eugene of the Northwest League in 1999. Sheaffer's career record is 201-231 (.466 winning percentage).

"This is something that I look forward to taking on and hopefully having some success here in Memphis," Sheaffer said. "I think that the direction that Bruce and St. Louis have taken to change some of the players in the clubhouse to give us a chance to win is an indication of how important it is to put a good ballclub in Memphis.

A veteran of almost 400 major league games with the Red Sox, Indians, Rockies and Cardinals, Sheaffer spent his final season as a professional in Memphis with the Redbirds during their inaugural 1998 season.

Primarily a catcher, Sheaffer also played all three outfield positions as well as first, second and third base during his big-league career. He becomes the first former Memphis player to return to manage in Memphis during the city's modern era of professional baseball which began in 1968.

The 20th selection overall in the first round of the 1981 draft by the Boston Red Sox out of Clemson, Sheaffer began his major league career when he was briefly called up by Boston in 1987. After playing in the Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Minnesota and Colorado systems, he spent three years as a Cardinal from 1995-1997. After his season with Memphis in 1998, Sheaffer retired as a player during the Cubs' spring training camp in 1999.

Sheaffer graduated in 1979 from Redland High School in Lewisberry, Pa., where he was the school MVP and earned all-state honors in baseball. He played baseball while attending Harrisburg (Pa.) Junior College and Clemson University where he played in the 1980 College World Series. Sheaffer and his wife, LaDonna, have two sons, Daniel (7-17-90) and David (5-9-95), and the family resides in Mt. Airy, N.C.

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REDBIRDS LAUNCH 2003 TRIPLE-A ALL-STAR GAME "MINI-SITE"

Learn all about the All-Star FansFest, Luncheon and Game July 15-16 in Downtown Memphis

The Memphis Redbirds are hosting this year's Triple-A All-Star Game presented by AutoZone and have planned two days of activities in and around AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis. Don't miss out on the FansFest and Old Navy Home Run Derby on Tuesday, July 15, or the All-Star Luncheon at the Peabody Hotel on Wednesday, July 16.

The All-Stars from the International League will face those from the Pacific Coast League at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at AutoZone Park. The game will be televised live nationally on ESPN2 and broadcast on the Sporting News Radio Network (Sports56 WHBQ, AM560 locally).

Great seats are still available! Prices are $20.00 for Club Level, $14.00 for Field Level and $7.50 for General Admission.

Purchase tickets or find out all the latest news regarding the game and festivities at the new Triple-A All-Star Game "Mini-site" at memphisredbirds.com!

http://www.memphisredbirds.com/allstar/index.html

To purchase individual game or All-Star Game tickets in person, stop by the AutoZone Park Box Office located at the corner of Third and Union in downtown Memphis. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from Noon to 4 p.m.

To order by phone, please call (901) 721-6000, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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IOWA CUBS COMING TO AUTOZONE PARK FOR FOUR GAMES WITH THE REDBIRDS STARTING FRIDAY

Memphis Redbirds vs. Iowa Cubs (Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs) Fri., June 13 - Mon., June 16 For tickets, call (901) 721-6000 or "ClickNPrint" your own tickets at http://www.memphisredbirds.com/tickets.

FORMER CARDINALS STARS TO APPEAR AT AUTOZONE PARK - FRI., JUNE 13

Join the Redbirds Friday night for the beginning of Cardinals Weekend! Former St. Louis Cardinals stars Lee Smith, Danny Cox, John Tudor and Bob Forsch will be at AutoZone Park for a pre-game autograph session. Come out and meet these stars and take home their autographs before the 7:05 series opener with the Iowa Cubs. Gates open at 6:00. Friday's game sponsored by Flash Market & Coca-Cola.

CARDINALS WEEKEND CONTINUES WITH ANOTHER APPEARANCE FROM SMITH, TUDOR, FORSCH & COX - SAT., JUNE 14

Former St. Louis Cardinals stars Lee Smith, Danny Cox, John Tudor and Bob Forsch return to AutoZone ParK Saturday night for another Pre-Game Autograph Session as the Redbirds celebrate Cardinals Weekend! Gametime is 6:05 p.m. and gates open at 4:30. Saturday's game sponsored by The Shops of Saddle Creek, Mechanical & Industrial Sales, Inc., & Franklin Electrofluid.

SKYY DOGS AND FATHER'S DAY CATCH ON THE FIELD - SUN., JUNE 15

Dads, bring your baseball gloves and enjoy a great Father's Day with your family at AutoZone Park. The Skyy Dogs will be here to perform their aerial acrobatics. The Skyy Dogs are famous for their incredible disc catching ability and graceful aerobatic skill. The Redbirds face the Iowa Cubs at 2:05 p.m., and after the game, dads and their kids can play catch on the field. Gates open 12:30 p.m. Sunday's game sponsored by Halls Fruit Breezers.

BOBBLE MANIA: JASON ISRINGHAUSEN - MON., JUNE 16

Bobble Mania is back in 2003! In honor of the Triple-A All-Star Game at AutoZone Park July 16, this year's theme is "All-Star Cardinals". Monday's featured bobblehead for the first 1,500 fans is St. Louis Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen. Gates open at 6:00 for a 7:05 start. Monday's game sponsored by STAR...Connecting people with their money.

Check out the Memphis Redbirds Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from June 12, 2003


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