Wingnuts Name Pete Rose Jr. as Manager
February 17, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
Wichita Wingnuts Manager Pete Rose Jr.
(Wichita Wingnuts)
WICHITA, KS - The Wichita Wingnuts have been fortunate to avoid heavy turnover in their coaching staff despite great success in the organization's brief eight year history. With the departure of hitting coach Jose Amado and manager Kevin Hooper to the affiliated ranks earlier this offseason, this year's staff was bound to look different. As of Wednesday afternoon the question of who would lead this new-look staff was answered. At a press conference at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, the club introduced Pete Rose Jr. as their third manager in team history.
Rose is the son of Major League Baseball's all-time hits leader who made a visit to a Wingnuts game last July to coach first base and sign autographs. The younger Rose enjoyed a 21-year playing career that concluded following the 2009 campaign. He was drafted out of Oak Hills High School in Cincinnati by the Baltimore Orioles in the 12th round of the 1988 amateur draft. His journey included time within the farm systems of the Orioles, White Sox, Indians, Reds, and Pirates. Rose appeared in 11 games for the Cincinnati Reds during the 1997 season including his MLB debut on September 1st. He also played in three different independent leagues: the Northeast League, the Northern League, and the Atlantic League. While in the Northern League, Rose played for current American Association opponents Winnipeg and Lincoln in 2002 and 2004 respectively.
In 2010, his first baseball season following retirement from playing the game, Rose quickly started the next phase of his career as hitting coach for the Florence Freedom of the Frontier League. In 2011, the Chicago White Sox made him the manager of their Rookie-level affiliate in Bristol, Virginia. In two years with Bristol, Rose's teams compiled a record of 43-90. The native of Cincinnati was promoted to the Advanced Rookie level in Great Falls, Montana for the 2013 season. In his lone year as skipper of the Voyagers, Rose guided the club to a 48-28 record which was good enough to win the Second Half Division Championship and a berth in the Pioneer League Playoffs.
Rose received yet another promotion prior to the 2014 season, this time to Single-A Kannapolis. The Intimidators placed fifth in their division in both halves and finished with a 62-75 overall record. Rose did not coach last season.
Rose's first season guiding the Wingnuts will begin on Thursday, May 19th against the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. For information on season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Wingnuts' main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.
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 Wichita Wingnuts Manager Pete Rose Jr. |
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