Durham, NC - The Durham Bulls today announced Charlie Montoyo will return as manager for a fourth season after leading the Bulls to their first National Championship in team history. For the first time since 2005, the Bulls entire coaching staff returns as Xavier Hernandez, Dave Myers and Rodger Fleming have all been retained as the Bulls look to defend their title.“We couldn’t be happier,” Durham Bulls General Manager Mike Birling said, “All these guys have done since joining us is win, but more importantly they understand the importance of the Bulls efforts in the community and our incredible fans.”
Montoyo returns for his fourth year with Durham, tied for third longest tenure in the Bulls’ 108-year history. (Bill Evers is first with 8 seasons). In his first three seasons Montoyo’s teams won three division titles, earned three trips to the league finals and last year won the league championship (Bulls’ third) and first National Title in team history. His 243 wins is 5th all-time in team history (Bill Evers is first with 613). With 76 wins this season Montoyo would move into second place.
Montoyo received two awards this off-season, the Mike Coolbaugh Award presented by Minor League Baseball at the Winter Meetings and Baseball America’s Minor League Manager of the Year Award. As thankful as he is for those two honors, his greatest satisfaction is getting to return to the Bull City for a fourth season.
“It feels great to be coming back to one of the best franchises in minor league baseball. I’m very fortunate to get to work with such wonderful people and lead this team in front of these tremendous fans.”
Montoyo's return is his 14th year as a manager in the Rays organization and has a career winning percentage of .511 (863-827) with six postseason appearances (1998-Hudson Valley, 2001-Bakersfield, 2006-Montgomery, 2007,’08,’09-Durham). Montoyo spent 10 years as an infielder in the Milwaukee Brewers, Montreal Expos and Philadelphia Phillies organizations, reaching the major leagues for 27 games in 1993 with the Expos. He and his wife, Samantha, live in Arizona with their two children, Tyson and Alex.
Xavier Hernandez will mark his ninth season as a pitching coach in the Rays organization and his fourth season in Durham. Several of his pitchers went on to help the Tampa Bay Rays make their run to the World Series, including Andy Sonnanstine, J.P. Howell, Grant Balfour and David Price. He played 10 seasons in the major leagues for the Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers compiling a career 40-35 record with a 3.90 ERA. Hernandez and his wife, Deborah reside in Sugar Land, Texas with their four children: Danielle, Michael, Sarah, and Stephen.
Bulls hitting coach Dave Myers returns for his second season after spending the 2007-08 seasons as hitting coach of the Buffalo Bisons (Cleveland Indians). Prior to joining the Bisons in 2007, Myers spent 18 seasons in the Seattle Mariners organization. As a minor league manager, he compiled an overall mark of 732-645 (.532) in 12 seasons, including four division titles and a league championship. He spent five seasons (1996-2000) as manager of the Triple-A Tacoma Rainers, one season with Double-A Port City (1995), two seasons with Class-A Riverside (1993-94), two with Class-A Bellingham (1991-1992) and two years with Tempe in the Arizona League (1989-90). He began his coaching career as a player/coach for the Mariners Double-A Vermont affiliate in 1988. Myers signed as the Mariners 13th round selection in the 1981 June Draft and spent eight seasons in their farm system. He graduated from Temple University in 1981 with a degree in physical education, is married (Christine) with two children (D.J. and Chelsea).
Fleming is in his third season in the Rays organization and second with the Bulls. Prior to 2008, he spent seven seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. In 2004, he was named Texas League Trainer of the Year and Minor League Trainer of the Year while serving with the El Paso Diablos (AA). He also served as head trainer for the Arizona Fall League champion Phoenix Desert Dogs in 2005 and the Venezuelan Winter League in 2006-07. Fleming graduated from the University of Toledo with a degree in interdisciplinary studies/athletic training. He lives in Kodak, Tennessee with his girlfriend, Amy, and son, Chandler.
Ticket packages for the 2009 season are available now by calling (919) 956-BULL or online at www.durhambulls.com.
- From the team press release.
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