Rohn Returns To Lead Grizzlies 2009 Field Staff
December 15, 2008 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
FRESNO, CA - Dan Rohn will return for his third season as manager of the Fresno Grizzlies in 2009 the team announced today. Rohn will be joined on the bench by two newcomers, pitching coach Pat Rice and hitting coach Hensley Meulens, as well as returning trainer Anthony Reyes. The Grizzlies open the 2009 season on Thursday, April 9th at Chukchansi Park against the Portland Beavers.
The 2009 season will be Dan Rohn's 20th as a manager or coach in professional baseball, and his third consecutive season at the helm of the Grizzlies. The two-time Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year led Fresno to the second-best record in club history in 2007, and has piled up 949 wins in 14 seasons as a manager. After being drafted in 1977 by the Chicago Cubs, Rohn reached the Major Leagues as a player with both Chicago and Cleveland.
Pat Rice will serve as Fresno's pitching coach in 2009, his first season with the Grizzlies, after spending last season in the same position with the Class-A San Jose Giants. Under his guidance, the Giants California League affiliate had one of the most dominant pitching staffs in all of Minor League Baseball, leading the league with a 3.26 ERA and placing four hurlers among the individual Top 6 in ERA. Before coming to the Giants organization, Rice spent 13 seasons in the Seattle system, the last seven spent as pitching coordinator. Rice pitched for seven seasons in the Mariners organization, reaching the Major Leagues in 1991.
Overseeing the Grizzlies lineup next season as hitting coach will be Hensley Meulens, serving his first year in the Giants system after four years with the Pittsburgh Pirates' Triple-A affiliate. The first Major Leaguer from the island nation of Curacao, Meulens wrapped up a decorated 17-year playing career in 2002. Once one of the top prospects in the New York Yankees organization, for which he spent parts of five seasons in the big leagues, Meulens played professionally in Japan and Mexico in addition to his time in the U.S. He has also represented the Netherlands numerous times in international competition as both a player and a coach.
Returning for his second season as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Grizzlies is Anthony Reyes. 2009 will be his sixth season in the San Francisco organization since graduating from San Jose State University in 2004 with a degree in kinesiology.
The Fresno Grizzlies open the 2009 season at Chukchansi Park on Thursday, April 9th when they welcome the Portland Beavers to downtown Fresno. For information regarding season tickets, mini-plans, group packages, or the latest episode of the Grizzlies digital, short series "I Hate The OffSeason", visit fresnogrizzlies.com.
Pacific Coast League Stories from December 15, 2008
- Rohn Returns To Lead Grizzlies 2009 Field Staff - Fresno Grizzlies
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