Tamargo Returns as Lugnuts Manager

LANSING, Mich. - John Tamargo Jr. will return for his third season as manager of the Lansing Lugnuts in 2014, the Lugnuts announced in conjunction with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday.

During the 2012 season, his first as a manager, Tamargo led the Lugnuts to a franchise record 82 wins and the first-half Eastern Division championship. Last season, the Lugnuts finished with a 61-78 record in the Midwest League's Eastern Division.

Prior to his stint as manager, Tamargo, 37, served as Lugnuts' hitting coach during both the 2010 and 2011 seasons. A former Florida Gator, he spent eight seasons in minor leagues before turning to coaching in 2004. His father, John Tamargo, Sr., has compiled 1,164 victories in an impressive minor league managerial career with the Mets, Astros, Brewers and Mariners.

The Lugnuts' 2014 staff is filled out by first-year hitting coach Ken Huckaby, fourth-year pitching coach Vince Horsman and athletic trainer Drew MacDonald.

Huckaby comes to the Lugnuts after spending the 2013 season as the hitting coach for the Bluefield Blue Jays, Toronto's Rookie League Affiliate. The former catcher played 6 MLB seasons, 3 with Toronto. In addition, he spent parts of18 seasons in Minor League Baseball, finishing with a career .271 MiLB average. He played his last major league game with the Red Sox in the 2006 season.

Horsman returns to Lansing to handle the Lugnuts pitching staff for a fourth season. From Halifax, Nova Scotia, he pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics and Minnesota Twins and served as the Baltimore Orioles' batting practice pitcher from 1998-2004. He has coached in the Blue Jays' organization since 2006.

MacDonald joined the Lugnuts for the 2013 season. Prior to that, he spent the 2012 season with the Vancouver Canadians - the Blue Jays' Northwest League (A) affiliate.

The Lugnuts enter their 19th season in 2014 and open their home schedule on Thursday, April 3rd, with the eighth annual Crosstown Showdown presented by Auto-Owners Insurance. The popular exhibition against Michigan State will begin at 7:05 p.m., with a special Labatt Thirsty Thursday.

Lansing Lugnuts season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased for as low as $66 at lansinglugnuts.com, or by calling (517) 485-4500.