Redbirds coaches announced
Memphis, Tenn. - The Memphis Redbirds will have a few new faces in the dugout for the 2008 season with the St. Louis Cardinals naming Blaise Ilsley and Mark Budaska to the coaching staff.
Ilsley will serve as the Redbirds pitching coach, replacing long-time coach Dyar Miller. With Double-A Springfield the past three seasons Ilsley's pitchers combined for a 209-205 record with seven complete games, 16 shutouts and a 4.33 ERA. The former fourth round pick out of Indiana State will begin his 10th season as a coach in 2008.
Budaska joins the Cardinals organization after spending the past six seasons in the Boston Red Sox organization, including the last four with Triple-A Pawtucket. The former switch hitting outfielder played nine seasons in the Oakland organization, playing in 13 games for the A's. He spent three seasons in Taiwan as the hitting coach and first base coach before joining the Red Sox in 2001.
Manager Chris Maloney and athletic trainer Chris Conroy will both return next season. Maloney will be at the helm for the second straight season while Conroy will begin his fourth season with the 'Birds. Memphis opens Pacific Coast League play April 3 at Oklahoma City and will begin their home schedule on April 11 against Omaha.
The Redbirds will host Cardinals Caravan on Sunday beginning at 6 p.m. on the Cellular South Club Level. Pitchers Anthony Reyes, Brad Thompson and Chris Perez will join catcher Bryan Anderson to answer questions and sign autographs. Admission to the event is free. For ticket information on the 2008 season visit memphisredbirds.com or call (901) 722-6050.