Sagara, Bell join Verdugo on Otters Coaching Staff

Published on January 10, 2008 under Frontier League (FL)
Oakland County Cruisers News Release


Evansville, IN - Otters manager Jason Verdugo has assembled his coaching staff for his debut 2008 season. Verdugo will have former Otters pitcher Brendan Sagara as his pitching coach and Bobby Bell as his hitting coach. Sagara and Bell will join bench coach Bill McKeon who will return for his third season.

Brendan Sagara joins the Evansville Otters after spending 2007 as the Pitching Coach and Assistant Director of Player Procurement for the Windy City ThunderBolts. Sagara's staff led the Frontier League in ERA (3.63), wins (68), saves (35), shutouts (10), and opponent average (.242). 2008 will mark Brendan's seventh season as a pitching coach in professional baseball. In his six previous seasons, Brendan's teams have won two league championships (2007 Windy City, 2005 Gary SouthShore), four division championships, had 10 All-Star selections, and had a combined record of 333 wins and 230 losses.

Before becoming a coach, Sagara attended the University of Hawaii-Hilo where he ranked among the school's all-time leaders in wins, winning percentage, ERA, opponent avg., and strikeouts. During the end of the 1999 season, Brendan joined the Evansville Otters' bullpen and posted a 1.69 ERA as the Otters were in the midst of clinching the Western Division Championship.

"I am very excited about my return to the Evansville Otters", said Sagara. "I really enjoyed my time there as a player and appreciate the opportunity to rejoin such a proud franchise. I have heard a lot of great things about Jason Verdugo and look forward to building a championship contender with him in Evansville. I have always maintained a strong affinity for the city and its people. Evansville is truly one of the special places in professional baseball."

Also joining the Otters coaching staff will be Bobby Bell. Bell served as the hitting coach for the Joliet Jackhammers during the 2004 and 2005 seasons and the Schaumburg Flyers during the 2006 season. Prior to coaching, Bell spent six years catching in the California Angels minor league system from 1986-1991, reaching as high as AAA. Bell also owns and operates the "Hittin Stix" baseball instructional services.

"My family and I spent a lot of time in the Evansville area this past summer, and we are looking forward to being part of the Otters family", said Bell. "I am also very excited to be working with Jason (Verdugo) this year because of what I believe he will bring to the organization and the fans of the Evansville Otters".

The Otters 2008 season will open May 21st, 2008 as the reigning 2007 Frontier League Champion Windy City ThunderBolts come to town for Fifth Third Bank Opening Night. The Otters will host 51 home games during 2008. For more news and information on the Otters, visit www.evansvilleotters.com.

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