Gary Green Returns as Crawdads Manager
Hickory, NC-The Hickory Crawdads (Class A Pirates) are pleased to announce that Gary Green will return to Hickory as field manager for the Crawdads. He will be back for his second season and will be joined by a new coaching staff. Jeff Johnson is the new pitching coach. Rudy Pena takes over as the club's hitting coach.
"I looking forward to returning to Hickory. I enjoyed my time there last year. The team has strong support and the South Atlantic League is a great league to be in. Hickory is a great place to manage, I look forward to the season," said Green.
Green, 46, enters his third season with the Pittsburgh organization, his second straight with Hickory. Green's squad posted a 43-26 record in the second half last year to capture the division and advance to the post season. The Pittsburgh native previously served as manager in Lynchburg (High-A Pirates), Lakeland (High-A Tigers), and Oneonta (A-rookie Tigers). During his 8 year career as a manager, Green has managed more than 800 games. Green played for the Padres, Rangers, and Reds. His father, Fred, pitched for the Pirates and was a member of the 1960 World Champion team.
Johnson, 41, hails from Durham, NC and currently resides in Charlotte, NC. Johnson played four years of baseball at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The 2008 season marks Johnson's first with the Pittsburgh organization and first as a coach. Johnson went 8-16 with a 6.52 ERA in 38 games (33 starts) from 1991-1993 with the Yankees. Johnson retired as a player in 1995 in the Toronto organization.
Pena, 29, is a former catcher who played 8 seasons of minor league baseball, which includes a brief stint with the Crawdads in 2003. Pena finished his career in 2005 with Lynchburg. This is his first coaching job.
In addition to the coaches, trainer Jared Destro, 25, returns for his second with the Crawdads. Destro is a 2004 graduate of the University of Charleston (WV), where he received a degree in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training.
The Crawdads begin the 2008 season at home against the West Virginia Power on Thursday, April 3rd at 6:30.
Season and group tickets are available by calling (828)-322-3000.