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Buchanan named to manage Legends

Hitting coach Gemoll, pitching coach Nyman also join the staff
December 7, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Former Major League player Brian Buchanan will be the manager of the Lexington Legends in 2013, the team's first season as an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.

The Royals announced the 2013 field staffs for their Minor League affiliates today.

Buchanan will be assisted by hitting coach Justin Gemoll and pitching coach Jerry Nyman. Mark Keiser will be the Legends' athletic trainer and Nate Dine will serve as strength and conditioning coach.

"We're thrilled to have Brian lead the Legends in 2013," said Legends General manager, Seth Poteat.

"The wealth of leadership and experience he brings to the table is really exciting. I know it's only December, but April 8 and Opening Day can't get here fast enough. I think Lexington is going to love this team and field staff, both on and off the field. I have no doubt that Legends fans will witness some great baseball, and some of the best talent in all of Minor League Baseball in 2013."

Buchanan has been a manager in the Kansas City system for three years. He was with Idaho Falls of the Rookie-level Pioneer League in 2010 and 2011 before moving to Kane County of the Class A Midwest League for the 2012 season. Lexington is now the Royals' Class A affiliate, and the Legends will continue to play in the South Atlantic League. Kane County is now affiliated with the Chicago Cubs.

Buchanan was an All-American player at the University of Virginia before being chosen by the New York Yankees in the first round of the 1994 First-Year Player Draft. He played in the Major Leagues with Minnesota (2000-2002), San Diego (2002-2004) and the New York Mets (2005). He played in Japan in 2007, before signing with the Royals and playing for their Triple-A affiliate in Omaha in 2008 and 2009. Buchanan resides in Fort Myers, Fla., with his wife, Jill, and their four sons.

Nyman has been a coach at the professional level for 25 years. He has been in the Kansas City organization since 2007, serving the last two seasons as pitching coach at Idaho Falls. He also held that job at Idaho Falls in 2007 and 2008 before moving to Burlington, Iowa, of the Midwest League, where he was the pitching coach for two seasons. Nyman was the Minor League pitching coordinator for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays from 2004 through 2006. He previously worked in the San Diego, Milwaukee and Atlanta organizations. Nyman made 30 appearances as a Major League pitcher with the Chicago White Sox and San Diego Padres between 1968 and 1970. Originally from Logan, Utah, he currently resides in Missoula, Mont.

Gemoll returns for his sixth season in the Royals organization. He spent the 2012 season with Idaho Falls. Gemoll joined the coaching ranks after a seven-year Minor League playing career in the Kansas City organization. Gemoll was a career .276 hitter, and reached the Triple-A level with Omaha in 2005. He played at the University of Southern California, helping the Trojans to the College World Series in 2000. A native of South Lake Tahoe, Calif., Gemoll resides in Surprise, Ariz. with his wife, Jenn, and their daughter and son.

The Legends open the home season Mon, April 8 at Whitaker Bank Ballpark against the Asheville Tourists, an affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. For more information, please visit www.lexingtonlegends.com online or call 859 422-7867.