Jeffrey Leonard to Manage Blythe Heat in Arizona Winter League
The Blythe Heat, members of the Arizona Winter League, the premier off-season development league for minor league players in the United States, announced today that two-time major league all-star Jeffrey Leonard has been signed as the new field manager of the Heat. The 14 year major league veteran returns to managing as he previously skippered the Sonoma County Crushers in the Western League.
"We believe that Jeffrey Leonard will be a superb manager for the Heat" said Kevin Outcalt, Commissioner of the Arizona Winter League. ""He's an experienced minor league manager, played at the highest levels of the game, and has been a baseball instructor with his own amateur academy for years. His intensity and passion for the game will not only be felt by his players, but throughout Blythe as he intends to be very active in the community."
Leonard, 52, was signed as an amateur free agent out of high school in 1973 by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He rose rapidly through their farm system as a complete player known both for his defense, leading the California League in outfield assists at Bakersfield, and his dominating presence at the plate as he led the AAA Pacific Coast League in hits and batting average while with the Albuquerque Dukes. Joining the Dodgers in 1977 as a 21 year old he began a 14-year major league career where he compiled almost 1500 hits and hit 144 home runs while playing for five teams, appearing in two National League Championship Series, was voted an all-star twice, finished in the National League MVP Top 20 voting twice, and had such an outstanding National League Championship Series in 1987 that he was voted MVP even though his Giants lost to the St. Louis Cardinals. He began his managing and coaching career in 2000 in the independent Western Baseball League.
"I am thrilled to have this opportunity to manage and help develop professional baseball players" said Leonard. "It will be exciting to bring professional baseball to Blythe and continue the tradition that the Arizona Winter League has developed in helping professional players move up in their careers. I'm looking forward to putting together a fine team, getting to know the community, and getting involved with the fans and with the Blythe youth sports organizations as well."
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