NWL1 Salem-Keizer Volcanoes

Volcanoes name new Manager

Published on May 29, 2003 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release


The San Francisco Giants have named Joe Strain, a veteran of 28 years in professional baseball, manager of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes for the 2003 season. Jack Lind, who had expected to be the Volcanoes Manager this season was promoted by the organization to manage the San Jose Giants.

Pitching coach Trevor Wilson returns to the Salem-Keizer staff for a fourth season and Paul Turco Jr. will make his coaching debut with the Volcanoes this season. Turco played for the Volcanoes in 1999. Trainer Rene Velazquez returns for his third summer with the team. The Volcanoes open their 2003 campaign at home, versus the Eugene Emeralds, on Wednesday, June 18. The Volcanoes 2003 Coaching Staff:

Joe Strain, Manager, a veteran of 28 seasons in professional baseball as a player, manager, coach and scout, embarks on his first season as manager of the Volcanoes. He served as the team's hitting coach during Salem-Keizer's inaugural season in 1997.

This season marks Strain's 25th year with the San Francisco organization. In 1976, he was signed by the Giants as a free agent after graduating from the University of Northern Colorado. He began his career in Great Falls where he hit .333 and led the league in stolen bases with 32. He quickly moved through the Giants' system, batting .338 for Fresno in 1977 and .305 for Phoenix in 1978. In each of his first three seasons, he led league second basemen in assists and double plays. In 1979, he joined San Francisco in mid-season, making his major league debut on June 28.

Strain spent three seasons in the majors, two with the Giants (1979-80) and one with the Chicago Cubs (1981). A serious arm injury effectively ended his playing career though he spent two more years at AAA with Iowa (1982) and Oklahoma City (1983). In 169 major league games, he hit .250 with one home run and 29 RBI's.

Joe began a 20-year teaching career at Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colorado in 1983. He taught business and physical education and spent 19 seasons as head basketball coach, winning the State 5-A title in 1995. He retired from teaching this year.

In 1984, Strain was a coach for Everett's first Northwest League entry and he managed the team from 1985 through 1989, guiding the Giants to their only NWL Championship in 1985. In five years, his managerial record was 202-172 (.540). In 1990, he began scouting for San Francisco, covering the Rocky Mountains and Arizona. He will continue that work outside of the NWL season. Born in Denver (4/30/54), Joe and his wife, Debbie, have been married since 1975 and are the parents of two children, a son and a daughter. They live in Englewood, Colorado.

Trevor Wilson, Pitching Coach. Trevor returns for his fourth season after retiring as an active player in 1999. He guided pitching staffs that set Salem-Keizer franchise records for wins, strikeouts and fewest walks in 2001 and fewest hits and runs allowed and lowest ERA in 2002. Trevor was a prep star at Oregon City High School and was drafted by the Giants in the 8th round during 1985 draft. Wilson played eight seasons in the majors, seven with San Francisco posting 41-46 career record. He was 13-11 with a 3.56 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 1991. Trevor lives in Oregon City.

Paul Turco, Jr., Hitting Coach. Makes coaching debut with Salem-Keizer after playing for the Volcanoes in 1999. Paul has scouted for San Francisco since 2001, covering Northern and Central Florida. He played 44 games with Salem-Keizer and 33 games with Bakersfield in 2000. Turco was selected in the 39th round of the 1999 draft by the Giants. He played baseball at Auburn University and graduated with a degree in finance. His brother, Anthony, played for Salem-Keizer from 2000-2002. Paul's father, Paul, Sr., is a Major League assignment scout for the Giants. Paul lives in Tampa, Florida.

Rene Velazquez, Trainer. Rene begins his 3rd season with the Volcanoes. His previous experience includes positions with the San Jose Giants and the Florida Marlins' Brevard County minor league affiliate. Velazquez is a former player, earning all-conference honors in 1996 as 2nd baseman for Miami Dade Community College where he played from 1994-96. He was team captain at Miami Dade and later at Barry University (1996-1998). He graduated from Barry University with a B.S. in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training.

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Northwest League Stories from May 29, 2003


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