Bilardello named Springfield's new Manager

Springfield, MO - The St. Louis Cardinals have announced that Dann Bilardello has been named the new Manager of the Springfield Cardinals for the 2015 season, becoming the fourth skipper in Springfield history. Details for an introductory event with Dann Bilardello will be announced at a later date.

Joining Bilardello this season will be a pair of former St. Louis Cardinals in new Pitching Coach Jason Simontacchi and returning Hitting Coach Erik Pappas, both of whom have coached alongside Bilardello before. Additionally, Athletic Trainer Scott Ensell will return for his third season in Springfield.

Bilardello takes over for Mike Shildt, who managed Springfield from 2012 - 2014. Shildt will lead the Memphis Redbirds (Triple-A) in 2015, while former Memphis and Springfield Manager Ron "Pop" Warner will serve as a Minor League Infield Instructor for the Cardinals.

Bilardello, 55, enters his sixth season managing within the Cardinals system and 10th year overall as a skipper in the Minor Leagues. This season will mark the fourth consecutive year in which Bilardello has advanced a coaching level, starting with his third and final year with the Batavia Muckdogs (Short-A) in 2012, followed by the Peoria Chiefs (Low-A) in 2013, the Palm Beach Cardinals (High-A) in 2014 and now Springfield in 2015. While with Batavia, Bilardello helped guide the Muckdogs to the 2010 Pinckney Division crown in his first campaign at the helm, after serving as the Cardinals Minor League Catching Coordinator from 2007-09. Before coming to the Cardinals, he gained four years of managing experience in the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers organizations from 2002-05.

Bilardello played all or part of eight Major League seasons as a catcher for the Cincinnati Reds (1983-85), the Montreal Expos (1986), Pittsburgh Pirates (1989-90) and San Diego Padres (1991-92). A former 1st-round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers, he debuted in the Majors with the Reds in 1983 and played in a career-high 109 games during his rookie campaign, hitting his first career home run against Tom Seaver that year. Bilardello resides in Vero Beach, Florida and has two sons, Davis and Trey, and a daughter, Kammie.

"We're very excited to welcome Dann into the Springfield Family and the line of excellent managers that have come through Hammons Field," said Springfield Cardinals Vice President / General Manager Matt Gifford. "We already have great familiarity with Dann from his time as Catching Coordinator, and know that he, Jason Simontacchi and Erik Pappas will do a tremendous job in continuing to develop the future of Cardinals Baseball here in Springfield. At the same time, we would like to congratulate Mike Shildt on his promotion to Triple-A and thank him for the last three great seasons, including the Championship Season in 2012. We also look forward to having 'Pop' Warner periodically back at Hammons Field in his new role as Infield Instructor."

Simontacchi, 41, embarks on his first season as the Springfield Pitching Coach and third as a coach within the Cardinals Organization, serving as Peoria's Pitching Coach each of the last two years. In his first coaching campaign, Simontacchi's 2013 Peoria pitching staff posted the 2nd-lowest ERA in the Midwest League at 3.54, while also finishing 2nd with 1,112 strikeouts, 2nd with 398 walks allowed and 3rd with only 71 home runs surrendered.

The former St. Louis Cardinal toed the rubber at Busch Stadium from 2002-04, before concluding his playing days with the Washington Nationals in 2007. Simontacchi made his Major League debut with the Cardinals on May 4, 2002, dealing seven innings to help lead the Cards to a 3-2 win against the Atlanta Braves. He went on to win his first five decisions, earning the June National League Rookie Pitcher of the Month honors. Simontacchi was named the Cardinals Rookie Pitcher of the Year by the St. Louis Chapter of the BBWAA in 2002, while also receiving one third place vote for the National League Rookie of the Year. Through 53 Major League starts spanning 355.2 total innings, he posted a career record of 26-17. Simontacchi resides in St. Louis with his wife, Paula, and two sons, Bradley and Nathan.

Pappas, 48, a former St. Louis Cardinals catcher, begins his second season as Springfield's Hitting Coach and third campaign overall as a coach in the Cardinals system, having spent 2013 as the Hitting Coach for the Peoria Chiefs (Low-A). Prior to joining the Cardinals staff, Pappas owned and operated the Baseball Alley batting facility in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois.

Pappas suited up for the Cardinals under Joe Torre in 1993-94, playing in a total of 97 games for St. Louis. Although originally a 1st-round draft pick by the California Angels in 1984, Pappas made his Major League debut with the Chicago Cubs in 1991. He was the Cubs Minor League Player of the Year in 1989 while hitting .299 with 16 HRs in Double-A Charlotte. Pappas made his Cardinals debut in 1993, compiling a .276 average through 82 games, along with a 16-game hitting streak, while throwing out 42% of would-be base stealers. Years after his playing career, Pappas suited up for Greece in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, highlighted by going 3-for-4 with a home run against Japan. He resides in Chicago with his wife, Gigi, and three children, Jack, Paige and Luke.

Ensell will begin his third season as the Springfield Cardinals Athletic Trainer and his sixth within the St. Louis system. He previously had stints with the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low-A) in 2012 and the Johnson City Cardinals (Rookie) in 2011. While earning his Master's Degree at the University of Memphis, he served as an athletic training intern with the Memphis Redbirds in 2009.

Stuff your Stockings with Cardinals Promo Items and Opening Night Tickets

The Springfield Cardinals Stocking Stuffer Special is available right now, offering an affordable and hassle-free holiday shopping option for all the Cardinals fans on your list. For only $25, fans receive their choice of any past promotional giveaway item, based on availability, and two tickets to the Springfield Cardinals 2015 Opening Night game on Thursday, April 9. 

So if your family couldn't make it out to get one of the great bobbleheads, t-shirts, Busch Stadium Exclusives, commemorative 10th Season items, select Replica Rings or other must-have giveaways, this is the special for you. Each available promotional item has a limited quantity, so order your Stocking Stuffer Special early for the best selection.

To order your Stocking Stuffer Special, come by the Springfield Cardinals Front Office at Hammons Field between 9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday. The items must be picked out at the Cardinals Clubhouse. The special will be available through Tuesday, December 23, and each promotional item is only available while supplies last.

Skip the lines at the store and give the gift of Cardinals Baseball this year!

Click here or call (417) 863-0395 for more information.

2015 Schedules available right now

It's never too early to start planning for Season 11 of Springfield Cardinals Baseball, kicking off with Opening Night at Hammons Field on Thursday, April 9, 2015 against the Corpus Christi Hooks at 7:10pm. Come by the Cardinals Front Office or click the link below for the complete 2015 Springfield Cardinals Schedule.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a The Cup Birthday Party and more, call the Front Office at (417) 863-0395 or visit SpringfieldCardinals.com.

Click here to download the 2015 Schedule.

Escape to Cardinals Baseball!