River Bandits Coaching Staff Announced
The Quad Cities River Bandits, in conjunction with the St. Louis Cardinals, announced on Wednesday that they will have an entirely new field staff for the 2008 season, including the return of the club's former manager and hitting coach, Steve Dillard.
Dillard will be back in a River Bandits uniform for the first time since 1994, and will be joined by pitching coach Arthur (Ace) Adams, hitting coach Joe Kruzel, and trainer Manabu Kuwazuru.
"I am thrilled about coming back to the Quad Cities," Dillard said. "This will be my fourth year with this team and it's a place that I'm comfortable with. I'm tickled that we're going to be the River Bandits again and I can't wait."
Dillard heads to the Quad Cities for the third time in his coaching career. The Mississippi native managed the Quad City River Bandits when they were an Astros affiliate in 1993 and 1994, leaving him tied for eighth in franchise history with 268 games managed. He also spent the 2006 season as the hitting coach for the Swing of the Quad Cities before moving to the Palm Beach Cardinals in the same capacity last season. Prior to his coaching career Dillard spent eight seasons in the big leagues as an infielder, including three years with the Chicago Cubs that included a career-high .283 batting average in 1979. The baseball veteran's son, Tim Dillard, was placed on the Milwaukee Brewers' 40-man roster this off-season.
"It's great to have a former River Bandit leading the charge when the new River Bandits take the field for the first time on April 3," said team owner Dave Heller. "We're excited because Steve brings the best of all worlds - he has gotten to know the Quad Cities over the years, has significant managerial experience that include a couple years right here, and he brings big league experience to the table. That's the perfect combination."
Kruzel enters his first season in the St. Louis Cardinals organization following two campaigns with the Cincinnati Reds, where he served as hitting coach for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Reds in 2006 and then manager of the Short Season-A Billings Mustangs in 2007. The Ohio native has spent most of his coaching career in the college ranks, including 15 seasons at The University of Toledo as assistant coach (1989-92) and then head coach (1993-2003), and one season as the assistant coach at Miami University in 2005.
Adams joins the River Bandits having served as a minor league coach for the Montreal Expos (1997-2001), Florida Marlins (2002), and most recently the Boston Red Sox (2004-06). A Massachusetts native, he spent the 2006 season as the pitching coach for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs in the last of three years with the Red Sox. Prior to his professional coaching career, Adams coached at the collegiate level for 13 years at Michigan (1989-96), Brandeis (1986-89), Harvard (1985), and Dartmouth (1984).
"Its another piece of great news," said Vice President Kirk Goodman. "Now we have our promotional schedule and season ticket packages out, the field staff is set, and our fans can start gearing up for the season. 2008 promises to be a great year for baseball in the Quad Cities!"
"I'm really looking forward to it," Dillard added. "The Quad Cities is one of my favorite places and I loved it when I was here. I really believe the River Bandits have great potential as a franchise and are a great fit for the Cardinals with all of the fan support in the area. We're going to have a lot of young players and we're going to put a good team out there."
ABOUT THE RIVER BANDITS: After an off-season full of upgrades, the Quad Cities River Bandits will open the 2008 campaign at Modern Woodmen Park on April 3! The new merchandise is currently available by visiting the Modern Woodmen Park team store, and season ticket packages, including the new 10-game pack are on sale at the park or by calling (563) 324-3000!