Sports stats



Texas Rangers Announce 2016 High Desert Mavericks Manager

December 22, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
High Desert Mavericks News Release


ADELANTO, Calif. - The Texas Rangers, Major League parent club of the Advanced-A High Desert Mavericks, announced Howard "HoJo" Johnson as the 2016 manager of the Mavericks. Johnson joins the Mavericks staff in his first managerial role since 2002.

"We are very excited about the hiring of Howard Johnson," said General Manager Ben Hemmen. "The Texas Rangers have again proved that their minor league system is second to none. They not only have some of the best young talent in professional baseball, but their talent is led by experienced and dedicated coaches and staff throughout the development process."

Johnson, 55, was with the Seattle Mariners major league club and served as hitting coach from November 2013 until June 2015. He spent the remainder of the 2015 season as a hitting instructor in the Mariners farm system. Prior to his time in Seattle, he spent eleven seasons in the Mets organization in various roles, including major league coach, minor league instructor and professional scout. The only other managerial role held by Johnson was with Short-A Brooklyn in the Mets organization during the 2002 season.

Alongside Johnson, with his new managerial duty in the Rangers organization, includes new additions to Mavericks field staff for 2016. New staff includes pitching coach Oscar Marin, coach Aaron Levin and athletic trainer Alex Rodriguez. Also under his team administration will be returning Mavericks hitting coach Bobby Rose and strength and conditioning coach Anthony Miller.

Howard Johnson was a two-time All-Star during a 14-year big league career with the Tigers, Mets, Rockies, and Cubs. The former third baseman batted .249 with 228 home runs and 760 RBI over 1,531 major league games, winning two Silver Slugger Awards. He was a part of the 1984 Detroit Tigers and 1986 New York Mets World Series Championship teams. Johnson led the National League in home runs (38) and RBI (117) in 1991, becoming the first switch-hitter to lead the National League in home runs. The Clearwater, Florida native was drafted in the first round (12th pick) of the 1979 amateur draft by the Detroit Tigers.

The High Desert Mavericks enter their 26th season in the High Desert and their second as the advanced-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. The Mavericks open the 2016 baseball season at Heritage Field on April 7 against Los Angeles Angels affiliate, the Inland Empire 66ers.



California League Stories from December 22, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central