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Morman Takes The Richmond Reigns

Former Squirrels' Hitting Coach Becomes Skipper
January 2, 2014

Richmond, Va. - The San Francisco Giants have announced the 2014 Field Staff for their Double-A affiliate, the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Russ Morman, who previously served as Hitting Coach in Richmond, will take over as Manager. He will become the third Manager in Richmond franchise history (Andy Skeels, Dave Machemer). Morman transitioned to the manager's role this past Fall, guiding the Scottsdale Scorpions in the prestigious Arizona Fall League. The core of the Richmond staff will remain intact, as both Pitching coach Ross Grimsley and Hitting coach Ken Joyce will return. Grimsley has been the only Pitching Coach the Squirrels have had, while Joyce will spend his fourth season in Richmond. The only season Joyce was not a member of the Squirrels' Field Staff was the season that Morman was with the Squirrels in 2010.

Morman and Joyce will both be present for the 2014 Flying Squirrels Hot Stove Banquet on January 16th.

The medical staff will have a new look however, as David Getsoff ascends to Richmond from San Jose (A+) to serve as Athletic Trainer. He will be joined by Adam Vish, who will spend his first season in the RVA as the Strength & Conditioning Coach, joining the Squirrels from Augusta (A). Getsoff and Vish will replace L.J. Petra and Brad Lawson, both of whom were promoted to the staff of Triple-A Fresno.

"We're thrilled to welcome Russ Morman back to Richmond," said Squirrels' Vice President/COO Todd "Parney" Parnell. "He was a wonderful ambassador for our organization in 2010, and we know he will be again in a managerial position. We thank the Giants for once again giving us top-flight instructors across the board that will represent us in a first class way."

Flying Squirrels' Field Staffs to Date:

2014:

Manager: Russ Morman
Pitching Coach: Ross Grimsley
Hitting Coach: Ken Joyce
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Adam Vish
Athletic Trainer: David Getsoff

2013:

Manager: Dave Machemer
Pitching Coach: Ross Grimsley
Hitting Coach: Ken Joyce
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Brad Lawson
Athletic Trainer: LJ Petra

2012:

Manager: Dave Machemer
Pitching Coach: Ross Grimsley
Hitting Coach: Ken Joyce
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Jim Bose
Athletic Trainer: LJ Petra

2011:

Manager: Dave Machemer
Pitching Coach: Ross Grimsley
Hitting Coach: Ken Joyce
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Garrett Sherrill
Athletic Trainer: Eric Ortega

2010:

Manager: Andy Skeels
Pitching Coach: Ross Grimsley
Hitting Coach: Russ Morman
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Abe Gonzalez
Athletic Trainer: Eric Ortega

Morman rejoins the Squirrels after a three-season stint as the Hitting Coach at Triple-A Fresno. He was a member of the inaugural Richmond staff, serving as the Hitting Coach on a staff led by Manager Andy Skeels. 2014 will mark his fifth year in the Giants organization. Prior to his time with San Francisco, the Kansas City native spent seven seasons as an instructor in the Boston Red Sox system. He was the Hitting Coach at Triple-A Pawtucket (2008-09) and Double-A Portland (2004-07). Until his role in the Arizona Fall League, 2003 had marked his latest managerial experience when he led Augusta (A - South Atlantic League). He was named Midwest League Manager of the Year in 2001 after leading Kane County (A) of the Florida Marlins organization to the Midwest League title. He played professionally for 17 seasons including parts of nine years in the Major Leagues for the Chicago White Sox (1986, 1988-89), Kansas City Royals (1990-91) and Marlins (1994-97). Morman was a first round draft selection of the White Sox in 1983 out of Wichita State University.

Grimsley returns for a fifth season as the Flying Squirrels Pitching Coach in 2013. In 2012, Grimsley's staff boasted both the right-handed (Chris Heston) and left-handed (Mike Kickham) starting pitcher on the Eastern League Post-Season All-Star team. Additionally, Heston was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Year and claimed the EL ERA title, marking the second consecutive season a Squirrels' hurler had done so (Eric Surkamp). In 2011, his pitching staff led the Eastern League with a team-ERA of 3.46 and tied for the fewest runs allowed (557). 2014 also marks his 15th season as an instructor in the Giants' system, and sixth consecutive at the Double-A level. He was also the pitching coach for the Squirrels' predecessor, the Connecticut Defenders, in 2009. His association with the Giants began in 1999. Prior to joining San Francisco, Grimsley also served as an instructor with the Seattle Mariners, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies. As a left-handed hurler, he pitched 11 Major League seasons, compiling 124 wins. He pitched in three League Championship Series (1972, 1973, 1974), the World Series (1972) and an All-Star Game (1978).

Joyce will spend his fourth season with the Squirrels in 2014 and fifth overall in the San Francisco system. He served in the same capacity with the Fresno Grizzlies (AAA) in his first season with the Giants in 2010 before joining the Squirrels in 2011. Prior to joining the Giants, he spent eight seasons (2002-09) with the Toronto Blue Jays in a variety of roles. He was the Hitting Coach at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2009 and held the same job with Double-A New Hampshire in both 2007 and 2008. Joyce was also a manager in the Blue Jays' system at the Single-A level from 2004 to 2006. He also served as an instructor in the Florida Marlins' chain for six seasons (1994-99).

Getsoff will spend his sixth season in the Giants' chain in 2014 after two years in the same capacity at San Jose (A+). He spent the previous two seasons with Augusta (A) and his first year with San Francisco in Salem-Keizer (A-). Prior to the Giants he was a member of the developmental staffs of both the Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox.

Vish will jump to Richmond from Augusta (A) and spend his second year with the Giants in Double-A. 2014 will be his fourth year in professional baseball, having also spent two seasons in the Kansas City Royals organization. In 2012, while with the Wilmington Blue Rocks (A+), he received the PBSCCD Carolina League Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year Award.

Season and Mini-plan ticket packages for the 2014 season are currently available and can be purchased by calling (804) 359-FUNN, logging on SquirrelsBaseball.com or visiting the Squirrels' Ticket Office located at The Diamond.