Generals announce 2014 coaching staff

JACKSON, TENN. (JANUARY 15, 2013) - The Seattle Mariners announced today the 2014 Jackson Generals field staff which includes an entirely new look. Jim Horner will become the 10^th Manager in franchise history and is joined by Hitting Coach Roy Howell and Pitching Coach Lance Painter. Each served in the same role for Advanced Class-A High Desert in 2013.

JIM HORNER - MANAGER

BORN: 11/11/73 in Snoqualamie, WA - RESIDES: - Kimberly, ID

Horner begins his eighth season in the Mariners organization and first as the manager of the Generals. Horner was the Manager for the High Desert Mavericks in 2013. He spent the previous two and a half seasons (2010-12) as Associate Head Coach at Texas Tech University leaving his post with High Desert on July 30, 2010 to accept a position as coach at Texas Tech. Horner was named 2009 Mariners Player Development Staff Member of the Year and named California League Manager of the Year after leading the Mavs to first place finishes in both the first and second half of the season. He managed Low-A Wisconsin in 2006 and 2007 and was a coach for Rookie Everett in 2005…PLAYING CAREER: Horner was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Mariners on August 8, 1996. He spent nine seasons as a minor league catcher with the Mariners posting a .259 career batting average, with 59 home runs and 298 RBIs. He reached as high as Triple-A Tacoma. He graduated from Twin Falls (ID) High School in 1992 and starred in football and baseball, including being named honorable mention on the USA Today All-American football team. Horner graduated from Washington State University in June 1996 with a degree in Criminal Justice.

"I'm really excited for the opportunity and looking forward to the increase in level of competition that will be played in the Southern League," added new Manager Jim Horner. "The job stays the same in trying to get players better and get them to the big leagues."

This is not Horner's first experience in the Southern League. Horner played for the Double-A Orlando Rays, then a Mariners affiliate and played in Jackson during that season.

"I remember the brand new ballpark and excitement around the team (in 1998) during its first season and eager to see the ballpark again. The Southern League is a tremendous league and I am ready to get to work. I love working with Lance Painter and RoyHowell. We enjoyed working together and enjoy making each other better coaches."

HORNER'S MANAGERIAL RECORD
YEAR	CLUB	LEAGUE	W-L	PCT	FINISH
2006	Wisconsin	Midwest	54-86	.386	7th/7th in division
2007	Wisconsin	Midwest	53-85	.384	8th/7th in division
2008	High Desert	California	58-82	.414	T2nd/5th in division
2009	High Desert	California	83-57	.593	1st/1st in division
2010	High Desert	California	57-48	.543
2013	High Desert	California	64-76	.457	7th/4th in division
Career Totals			369-434	.459

LANCE PAINTER - PITCHING COACH

BORN: 7/21/67 in Bedford, Bedfordshire, Great Britain - RESIDES: Gilbert, AZ

Painter begins his ninth season in the Mariners organization and fourth as pitching coach with the Generals. Painter previously served as pitching coach of the Generals from 2010-2012 and spent the 2013 season with High Desert. He has also served as Pitching Coach for Low-A Clinton (2009), High Desert (2008) and Low-A Wisconsin (2006-07)…PLAYING CAREER: Painter pitched professionally from 1990-2003, spending time in the San Diego, Colorado, St. Louis, Toronto and Milwaukee organizations, including 10 years in the Major Leagues. Painter attended the University of Wisconsin. He was born in England and became naturalized U.S. citizen in 1994.

ROY HOWELL - HITTING COACH

BORN: 12/18/53 in Lompoc, CA - RESIDES: Shell Beach, CA

Howell begins his third season in the Mariners Organization and first as hitting coach with the Generals. He spent the previous two seasons as a coach with High Desert. Howell was the manager for the Road Warriors Travel team in the Atlantic League in 2011 and was manager of the San Luis Rattlers in the California Collegiate League (2007-2010). He returned to baseball in 2000 and spent six seasons with the San Diego Padres minor league department. He served as manager for three seasons at Short-A Eugene (2003-05) and three seasons as manager at Triple-A Portland (2000-02)… PLAYING CAREER: Howell was selected by Texas in the first round of the 1972 draft out of Lompoc (CA) High School. He played in parts of 11 seasons in the Majors with Texas (1974-77), Toronto (1977-80) and Milwaukee (1981-84), batting .261 with 80 homers and 454 RBI in 1,112 games. He was an AL All-Star and Toronto's team MVP in 1978. He played for Milwaukee in the 1982 World Series.

Eddie Tamez returns for his third season with the Generals as Athletic Trainer and is his seventh season in the Mariners Organization. Tamez was the 2009 Midwest League Athletic Trainer of the Year with Clinton. Ryan White will begin his first season as Performance Specialist with the Generals and is his fifth year with the Mariners.

Jim Pankovits served as Jackson's manager for the past three seasons and remains in the Seattle Mariners organization as minor league infield coordinator. Pankovits amassed 210 wins over three seasons as manager, and led the Generals to the Southern League Championship Series in 2012. Cory Snyder, who served as Jackson's hitting coach the past three seasons is now Hitting Coach for Triple-A Tacoma. Terry Clark, Jackson's Pitching Coach for the first half of 2013 is now the Mariners' Minor League Pitching Coordinator.

The Generals open their 17^th season on Thursday, April 3, 2014 in Chattanooga, TN against the Lookouts (LAD). The team opens at The Ballpark in Jackson on Wednesday April 9, 2014 against the Mississippi Braves (ATL).

For up-to-date news and notes throughout the offseason, visit www.jacksongeneralsbaseball.com, follow the club on Twitter (@jacksongenerals) or like the team on Facebook. Ticket packages for the 2014 season are on-sale now by calling (731) 988-5299