Chris Widger, '05 World Series Winner, 2019 B-Royals Manager
The new manager of the Burlington Royals is former Major Leaguer, Chris Widger. He spent 10-years in the majors, with six clubs as a catcher. The 3rd round pick of the 1992 draft, has a world series ring from 2005 with the Chicago White Sox, where he was the back
The new manager of the Burlington Royals is former Major Leaguer, Chris Widger. He spent 10-years in the majors, with six clubs as a catcher. The 3rd round pick of the 1992 draft, has a world series ring from 2005 with the Chicago White Sox, where he was the back up catcher to A.J. Pierzynski. In 2016 he became the bench coach of the Wilmington Blue Rocks under Darryl Kennedy. Kennedy was the first Burlington Royals manager. After three seasons with the Blue Rocks, Widger has come down to Burlington to manage the Rookie affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.
Widger, spent time playing under some of the most influential managers. In 2002 he was managed by, Hall of Famer, Joe Torre. Torre, won four World Series as the manager of the New York Yankees, from 1996 to 2007, including another two AL Pennants in 2001 and 2003. In 2003, Widger was managed by another Hall of Fame manager, Tony La Russa. La Russa managed for thirty-three seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals. He won six Pennants and three World Series as a manager. Other managers that Widger has played for include, Lou Piniella, Felipe Alou, Ozzie Guillen and Sam Perlozzo.
Widger's Major League career was spent with several teams. He learned from the game's best managers, but his career could have been different. In 2001, he had a shoulder injury while playing with the Seattle Mariners that shut him down for the season. That season the Mariners went on to win an astounding 116 games. He took time away from the game to play softball before returning as a non-roster invitee to the Chicago White Sox. The year he returned he helped Ozzie Guillen's team to a World Series.
Coach Widger has had managerial experience with the Atlantic League, Camden Riversharks. This season will be his first time managing at the minor league level. He will have the help of pitching coach Carlos Martinez who will be in Burlington for his eighth consecutive season, and hitting coach Andy LaRoche. Laroche will be in his first season with the Burlington Royals.