The Toronto Blue Jays announced Monday that John Tamargo, Jr., will manage the Lansing Lugnuts for a third season in 2014.
In his rookie season as a manager in 2012, Tamargo led the Lugnuts to a franchise-best 82 wins and he was named Midwest League Manager of the Year. Lansing’s record was 61-78 in 2013.
Tamargo’s father (John Tamargo, Sr.) also managed in the Midwest League, leading the Clinton LumberKings to a 74-65 record in 2010. That was the last of 20 seasons he spent as a skipper, including when he managed the Houston Astros in 2002.
Neither Tamargo played in the Midwest League.
Click here to read more about the 2014 Lugnuts coaching staff.
MWL alumni report
Updates on a few former Midwest League players:
Infielder Ronny Cedeno reportedly signed a minor-league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies and is invited to spring training. He played 115 games with the 2001-02 Lansing Lugnuts, batting .211 with 3 HR, 33 RBI and 14 SB.
Catcher John Buck reportedly is close to a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners. He batted .282 with 10 HR and 71 RBI in 109 games with the 2000 Michigan Battle Cats.
LHP Dontrelle Willis reportedly signed a minor-league deal with the San Francisco Giants. He went 10-2 with a 1.83 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 127.2 IP for the 2002 Kane County Cougars.
Snowy ballparks
This photo of Kane County’s Fifth Third Bank Ballpark was posted by the Cougars yesterday. As you can see, the green grass of the field could be seen again as snow melted there.
Kane County’s Fifth Third Bank Ballpark on Monday. (Photo courtesy of the Kane County Cougars)
Chances are the field will be covered by snow again before today is done. Perhaps it even looks like a snow globe right now, like the Peoria Chiefs said about this shot of their Dozer Park earlier today.
The snowy scene at Dozer Park this morning. (Photo courtesy of the Peoria Chiefs)
Rattler links
Here are links to some things worth reading or watching. All are related to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
The Details, Episode 1 — This video from Pendulum focuses on the work they did to improve Fox Cities Stadium in 2013.
Q&A: Mitch Haniger — David Laurila of FanGraphs interviews Milwaukee Brewers OF prospect Mitch Haniger, who played 55 games with the Timber Rattlers in 2012-13.
Top Five Tuesday: Brett Lawrie Games — This article by Timber Rattlers broadcaster Chris Mehring takes a look at the top five games by Toronto Blue Jays infielder Brett Lawrie when he played for Wisconsin in 2009.
