Hudson Valley Renegades 2010 Coaching Staff

FISHKILL, NY (Dec. 16, 2009) - The Hudson Valley Renegades, short-season A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, are excited to announce the coaching staff for the 2010 season. For the first time since the 1999 season the Renegades will see an entirely new coaching staff on the field. Ex-Renegade Jared Sandberg will take over as manager, followed by Pitching Coach Jack Giese, Bench Coach Reinaldo Ruiz and Trainer Andrew Hauser.

Sandberg takes over at the helm for the Renegades in just his second season of managerial duty. Before making the jump from player to coach, Sandberg enjoyed a 12-year playing career including three major league seasons, all with the Rays (2001-03). Sandberg currently holds the Rays all-time minor league records with 113 home runs, 473 RBI and 417 runs.

2010 will mark Sandberg's third stint in the Hudson Valley. His first stint came during the 1998 season as he helped lead the Renegades to the best finish in franchise history, 50-26. During that season Sandberg recorded a .288 batting average with 12 home runs and 54 RBI. He returned to the Renegades in 2008 in his first professional coaching position as the team's hitting coach. The team recorded a .264 batting average that season.

Taking over as pitching coach will be Jack Giese, his first professional coaching position. Giese spent the last two seasons as pitching coach and associate head coach at Howard College in Big Spring, Texas. Previously, he held scouting positions with the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds.

Reinaldo Ruiz will be joining the team as the bench coach this season after spending the 2009 season with the Gulf Coast League Rays. Prior to 2009 Ruiz spent time in Venezuela as the Rays catching instructor (2007-08) and as the hitting coach for Magallanes de Carabobo of the Venezuelan Winter League (2005-06). Prior to making the switch from player to coach Ruiz enjoyed an eight-year career as a catcher within the Houston Astros organization.

Andrew Hauser begins his second season with the Rays after spending 2009 on Sandberg's staff in Princeton. Hauser graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor's degree in athletic training and prior to graduating he interned with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Renegades season tickets, mini-packs and group outings are now available. Call the Renegades box office today at 845.838.0094 to reserve your spot. Don't forget to follow the Renegades on Twitter for special offers and team updates as they happen at www.twitter.com/hvrenegades.

- From the team press release.