Manager: 2020
Tom Lawless will guide the 2020 LumberKings as they seek to defend their 2019 Western Division Title. Lawless, an eight year MLB veteran played with four Major League clubs from 1982-1990.
Jim Leyland speaks on "Throwback Night with Jim Leyland" on August 16, 2014 before the game against the Beloit Snappers.
Manager: 2020
Tom Lawless will guide the 2020 LumberKings as they seek to defend their 2019 Western Division Title. Lawless, an eight year MLB veteran played with four Major League clubs from 1982-1990.
Manager: 2019
Former Major Leaguer Mike Jacobs guided the LumberKings as the first Clinton manager in the affiliation with the Miami Marlins. Jacobs took the team to a 78-win season, including a 45-win second half, good enough for a playoff berth, but ultimately fell in the Midwest League Championship Series.
Manager: 2018
Denny Hocking spent 13 seasons in the Major Leagues, primarily with the Minnesota Twins, and guided the Clinton LumberKings in 2018 to a 69-70 finish. The 2018 club narrowly missed the playoffs in the first half by losing a tiebreaker.
Manager: 2017
Tony Arnerich began the season as the Seattle Mariners' Catching Coordinator before taking over for David Macias as third and final manager of the 2017 season. During Arnerich's brief tenure, the LumberKings narrowly missed out on the playoffs after going on a late season push.
Manager: 2017
David Macias took the reins of the 2017 LumberKings, replacing Pat Shine. Macias started the second half with the club to begin his managerial career before resigning his position in August for a position on the Vanderbilt University baseball team.
Manager: 2017
Pat Shine joined the Clinton LumberKings after spending three seasons as a coach on the Miami Marlins' Major League staff. Shine, with the Marlins was tasked with handling video replay reviews during all games and was the batting practice pitcher for Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton chose Shine to pitch to him for his home run derby appearances. Shine managed the LumberKings until he was relieved of his duties following the conclusion of the first half.
Manager: 2016
Mitch Canham led the 2016 LumberKings to the best regular season record in franchise history. Canham's squad qualified for the Midwest League playoffs in the first half before taking off in the second half, at one point winning 18 of 19 games. In the playoffs, the LumberKings swept the Peoria Chiefs and beat the Cedar Rapids Kernels, before falling to the Great Lakes Loons in four games in the Midwest League Championship. Canham's .614 winning percentage is currently stands at third in franchise history and he is the only manager to top the .600 mark since 1964.
Manager: 2011-2013
Menchaca managed the LumberKings for three seasons, starting in 2011. During Menchaca's tenure, the LumberKings qualified for the Midwest League playoffs in each season. In 2011, the Menchaca's squad clinched a wild card berth after winning eight consecutive games. In 2012, the LumberKings would finish in last place in the first half only to win the second half division title. Menchaca's 201 wins currently ranks fourth in franchise history.
Manager: 2010
John Tamargo guided the LumberKings to the Midwest League finals in his only season with the club. Tamargo's squad outlasted Cedar Rapids and Kane County in the playoffs before meeting Lake County in the final round. Game two of the series, the LumberKings topped the Captains in an 18-inning affair in their final appearance in Clinton of the year. The LumberKings eventually fell to the Captains in a thrilling five game series. Tamargo's .532 winning percentage is in the top 10 in franchise history.
Manager: 2009, 2014-15
Scott Steinmann spent three non-consecutive seasons at the helm of the LumberKings and was the West Manager for the 2009 All-Star Game hosted in Clinton. Steinmann's 179 victories currently ranks 6th on the franchise leaderboard.
Manager: 2007-2008
Mike Micucci was at the helm for consecutive playoff appearances in 2007 and 2008 and made it to the Western Division Finals in 2007. In 2008, Micucci's LumberKings nearly won 20 games in a month twice with 18 in April and 20 in May en route to winning the first half division title. Micucci's .540 winning percentage and 148 victories are good for eighth and ninth in franchise history.
Manager: 2006
Andy Fox spent just one year in Clinton as the LumberKings skidded all year and finished with the worst record in franchise history.
Manager: 2003-2005
Carlos Subero spent three seasons with the LumberKings and ended his tenure as one of the most successful Clinton managers in franchise history. Subero's squad didn't just make the playoffs, they made it to the West Division Championship round in all three seasons. However, the West Divsion Championship was the hump Subero just couldn't get over as the LumberKings failed to make the MWLCS. Subero's 214 wins is currently second to only Jack Mull's 357 wins in franchise history.
Manager: 2002
Manager: 2001
Manager: 2000
In one season as Manager of the LumberKings, Jay Sorg guided the LumberKings to a playoff half with a strong second half performance that started by winning eight of their first 12 of the half. The LumberKings won game one of the series against the Snappers but dropped two straight when the series shifted to Beloit and ending the season.
Manager: 1999
The LumberKings closed out the Milennium with Freddie Benavides in the dugout. Although they finished with a losing record in Benavides' one-year tenure, the skipper was able to guide the club to the playoffs as a force to be reckoned with in the first half by going 41-27 and winning the Central Division.
Manager: 1997-1998
In two seasons with the LumberKings, Tom LeVasseur finished with 65 wins each year but found his teamin the playoffs in 1998 by clinching a wild car berth in the second half. In the playoffs, the LumberKings advanced to the Divsion Series after a three-game series victory over the heavily favored River Bandits, but the magic would run out thanks to a sweep against the West Michigan Whitecaps.
Manager: 1996
Manager: 1995
Ed Romero came to Clinton after a 12 season MLB career, primarily with the then American League Milwaukee Brewers. Romero would only be in Clinton for one season, however, finishing with just 51 victories.
Manager: 1992
Manager: 1989
Manager: 1987-1988
In two seasons at the helm of the Clinton Giants, Billy Evers managed two winning seasons with the club in what was the first stop of a 19 season Managerial career that saw Evers win five League Championships. Evers' .538 winning percentage and 150 wins are currently 10th and eighth respectively in franhcise history.
Manager: 1986, 1990-1991, 1993-1994
Jack Mull served five seasons during three non-consecutive stints as Manager for Clinton. Over his five seasons, "number eight" became the winningest manager in the history of the Clinton Baseball Club. Additionally, Mull, who managed the Clinton Giants in for his first four seasons in Clinton, became the first manager of the LumberKings when the franchise rebranded in 1994. In 1991, Mull guided the Clinton Giants to the club's second Midwest League title and first since 1963. The Chambersburg, Penn. native began and ended his nearly 40 year baseball career with ties to the Midwest League; Mull's first pro playing appearance was with the 1969 Quincy (Ill.) Cubs and his last coachng appearance was with the Lake County Captains in 2006 then of the South Atlantic League.
Manager: 1985
A former Major Leaguer, Tim Blackwell got his successful Minor League managerial start right here in Clinton with the Giants in 1985. Blackwell would later go onto win League Championships in the South Atlantic League in 1991 and the Northern League in 1993.
Manager: 1983-1984
Bill Lachemann spent two seasons in Clinton, each of which ended in back-to-back seasons of 10th place finishes in the Midwest League.
Manager: 1981-1982
Wendell Kim had a very successful and well-known coaching career in professional baseball including time on Major League coaching staves of the San Francisco Giants, Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs. Kim got his Minor League managerial start with the Clinton Giants in 1981.
Manager: 1980
Wayne Cato was the first manager assigned to town when the Giants began their second affiliation in Clinton. Cato also is believed to be the last manager to have actually played in a game for Clinton. Cato played in two games in what was likely an emergency catching situation in 1980, going 1-1 with a triple at the plate.
Manager: 1977-1979
In three seasons as the Clinton Dodgers, Dick McLaughlin was Clinton's only manager. McLaughlin had winning seasons in 1977 and 1979 and qualified for the playoffs in 1979 but were eliminated by the Quad Cities Cubs in three games. Orel Hershiser, who took the loss in game two, hadn't yet experienced his post-season heroics. McLaughlin's 206 wins currently are third all-time in club history.
Manager: 1976
The club in Clinton isn't known historically for their play on the field, but in 1976 Bob Hartsfield became the final manager of the Clinton Pilots as the team name was changed to the Dodgers in 1977.
Manager: 1974
Former Major League catcher Len Orkie ended his 15 season Minor League Managing career with the Clinton Pilots in 1974 in what was his third stint with a Midwest League team.
Manager: 1972-1973, 1975
Jim Leyland won over 1,700 games in the Major Leagues but he got his first ever victory as a manager for the Clinton Pilots in 1972. Leyland was at the helm of the club for three non-consecutive seasons and made the Midwest League playoffs in 1973. Later, Leyland guided the 1997 Florida Marlins to a World Series championship and won two American League pennants for the Detroit Tigers in 2006 and 2012. After his retirement from the Tigers in 2014, Leyland would manage Team USA to its first World Baseball Classic title in 2017. Leyland's son Pat was a member of the 2015 LumberKings. Leyland's 189 wins ranks fifth all time in franchise history.
Manager: 1971
Max Lanier spent 14 seasons in the Major Leagues, primarily as a leader on the St. Louis Cardinals' pitching staff. The two-time All-Star, who would have been considered a Cy Young Award favorite had the award existed at the time, led the National League with a 1.90 ERA in 1943. Lanier had two stints managing in the Midwest League with the other coming in 1968 with Dubuque.
Manager: 1970
After a successful 15-year Major League career, Earl Torgeson spent a less than a year guiding the Pilots in Clinton as he was dismissed after just 60 games. Known as "The Earl of Snohomish," named for his hometown of Snohomish, Wash., Torgeson played the majority of his Big Legaue career as a first baseman, garnering MVP votes in two seasons.
Manager: 1969
Tommy Giordano, who had a cup of coffee with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1953, holds the club record for fewest games managed as an official manager after taking over for Karl Kuehl late in the season. As a player in 1953, Giordano led the South Atlantic League with 24 home runs, two home runs ahead of second place, which was his teammate Henry Aaron. While with the Orioles, he was the scout who was responsible for the club taking Cal Ripken in the draft. Known as "T-Bone," Giordano never stopped working in professional baseball and in 2018 he became the oldest active scout in Major League Baseball with over 70 consecutive years in the sport.
Manager: 1969, 1970
Karl Kuehl took over for the Pilots midseason, but didn't stay long as he only managed 31 games before leaving in 1969. Kuehl would return to take over for the dismissed Earl Torgeson. Just five years later, Kuehl was managing for the Montreal Expos in the National League.
Manager: 1969
After a 13-year big league playing career (not including three years served in World War II), Sibby Sisti spent the first part of the 1969 season managing the Clinton Pilots. Partway through the season, he was brought up to the majors to coach the Seattle Pilots. After his career, Sisti played a role as the Pittsburgh Manager in the movie "The Natural" and also served as a consultant for the film to help capture the feel of baseball in the 1930's. Sisti's .583 winning percentage currently stands at fifth in franchise history.
Manager: 1967-1968
Bob Clear spent two seasons at the helm of the Pilots and also appeared on the mound for two games in 1967. Clear had a long managerial career which saw him win League championships with The Douglas Copper Kings in 1958 and the Idaho Falls Angels in 1970. Clear also coach in the Major Leagues with the Angels for 12 seasons.
Manager: 1966
Frank Oceak spent 1966 as the first manager of the newly named Clinton Pilots. However, Oceak's managerial career last much longer. Oceak spent 22 non-consecutive seasons managing in Minor League Baseball accumulating over 1,200 victories. Most famously, Oceak was the third base coach on October 13, 1960 when Bill Mazeroski hit his walk-off home run in game seven of the World Series.
Manager: 1963-1964
In what was probably the best two year stretch for any manager in franchise history, Don Bacon won 160 games and won guided the Clinton C-Sox to the club's first ever Midweat League title. Bacon's 1963 squad won both the first and second half of the season, eliminating the need for any playoffs, and became automatic champions of the League. Bacon's 160 wins is currently seventh in franchise history and his .640 winning percentage is second.
Manager: 1962, 1965
Former Major Leaguer Ira Hutchinson spent 18 seasons managing in the Minor Leagues for the White Sox. Two of those 18 years came in Clinton.
Manager: 1961
Dick Kinaman only spent one year in Clinton but it was a success as Kinaman guided his squad to nearly 70 wins. Kinaman's .552 winning percentage currently stands at seventh in franchise history.
Manager: 1960
Frank Parenti spent 15 years managing in Minor League Baseball, all but two of those in the White Sox system. Parenti took over for the reassigned George Noga on May 31 and saw the club finish third in the League.
Manager: 1960
George Noga started the year 11-12 with the C-Sox before getting reassigned to the Idaho Falls Russets, who he led to a Pioneer League finals appearance.
Manager: 1959
The first manager of the C-Sox was former big leaguer Johnny Hutchings who would guide those C-Sox to an impressive 71 win season. Hutchings' .577 winning percentage is currently sixth all-time in franchise history.
Manager: 1958
Former Major League catcher Wally Millies was the final manager for the Clinton Pirates before their name changed to the C-Sox. Millies took the reins on June 9, replacing Stan Wentzel.
Player-Manager: 1956-1958
Stan Wentzel spent parts of three seasons managing the Clinton Pirates, making the playoffs in each of his first two seasons. He was replaced as manager by Wally Millies on June 9, 1958.
Player-Manager: 1954-1955
In two seasons in Clinton, Bobbie Clark started the revival of the Clinton Baseball Club after its five year hiatus with two winning seasons, including an appearance in the League finals in 1954. Clark's 131 wins currently rank in the top 10 in franchise history.
Player-Manager: 1949
Joe Blake spent two seasons in Clinton as a player in 1948 and 1949 but also managed the Clinton Steers for 45 games in 1949. Blake, who as a part of the 1948 Clinton Cubs team, won the Central Association championship.
Player-Manager: 1949
Adolph "AJ" Matulis struggled with his 1949 Clinton Steers club out of the gate, but was reassigned to the Janesville Cubs on July 24.
Player-Manager: 1948
Lee Eilbracht was handed the reins of the Clinton Cubs on July 4, 1948 and given a task no one would envy. Eilbracht was to take the defending Central Association champs and guide them to another title after taking over a manager who had already won 38 games. Eilbract won 41 of his own and took the club to its second consecutive League title.
Player-Manager: 1948
In just a couple months on the job, Nelson Brubrink continued the success the Clinton Cubs had in 1947 before he was reassigned on July 4, 1948 to replace former big leaguer Red Lucas to manage the Decatur Commodores.
Player-Manager: 1947
In just one year with Clinton, Bob Peterson made an impact by giving the Clinton Baseball Club its first League Championship. Not only did he do this as a manager, however, as he also pitched almost 100 innings with a 1.94 ERA. His .589 winning percentage currently stands at fourth in franchise history.
Manager: 1940-1941
Josh Billings came to Clinton after a brief career in the Major Leagues and a successful run as a Minor League manager. However, Billings couldn't get any traction to get the first iteration of the Clinton Giants off the ground as his record hovered around the .500 mark for most of his tenure.
Manager: 1939
In 1933 Blondy Ryan finished in the top 10 for NL MVP voting and won the World Series with the New York Giants. Six years later, he was given the reins of the Clinton Giants. Although Ryan's Clinton team was successful and finished above .500, they finished fifth overall and Ryan left to join the Navy after the season and would fight in WWII.
Player-Manager: 1938
The second manager in club history, Ollie Marquardt, joined the club after a cup of coffee in the majors, but couldn't replicate the team's inuagural season.
Player-Manager: 1937
On May 9, 1937, the Clinton Owls played the first game in club history at brand new Riverview Stadium. Clyde Sukeforth was the skipper of the club affiliated with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Sukeforth would take the Clinton Owls to a first place finish and his .676 winning percentage remains the best in franchise history. His standing in Clinton Baseball history is large but pailed in comparison to his life in the 1940's. Sukeforth was the person Branch Rickey sent to sign Jackie Robinson to his first contract with the Dodgers. Later on while he was on the Dodgers coaching staff, Robinson was called up to make his Major League debut but club manager Leo Durocher was serving a suspension. This would mean that Sukeforth would be pressed into duty to serve as Interim Manager and became the first person in history to write Jackie Robinson's name on a Major League lineup card. Additionally, part of Sukeforth can be seen in the famous Norman Rockwell Painting "Tough Call" (also known as "Game Called Because of Rain") discussing the situation while standing behind the umpires.
1. Jack Mull (357)
2. Carlos Subero (214)
3. Dick McLaughlin (206)
4. Eddie Menchaca (201)
5. Jim Leyland (189)
6. Scott Steinmann (179)
7. Don Bacon (160)
8. Billy Evers ( 150)
9. Mike Micucci (148)
10. Bobbie Clark (131)
1. Clyde Sukeforth (.676)
2. Don Bacon (.640)
3. Mitch Canham (.614)
4. Bob Peterson (.589)
5. Sibby Sisti (.583)
6. John Hutchings (.577)
7. Mike Jacobs (.561)
8. Dick Kinaman (.552)
9. Mike Micucci (.540)
10. Billy Evers (.538)