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Davenport named Volcanoes skipper

Class A Short-Season Salem-Keizer tabs longtime coach
January 5, 2013
Longtime Giants coach Gary Davenport has been named the new manager of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. Davenport will begin his 10th season in the Giants' system in 2013, and his 1st year as manager.

The past five seasons Davenport has been the hitting coach for the San Jose Giants and helped guide San Jose to the California League Championship in 2009 and 2010. The 2010 club finished with a .289 batting average, second best in the California League. Davenport said, "I'm very excited for both the opportunity the Giants are giving me and being able to start my managing career in Salem-Keizer with the Volcanoes."

Davenport actually began his professional coaching career as a roving hitting instructor for the San Jose Giants and Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in 2004, before being promoted as the full-time hitting coach for the 2005 San Jose team that won the California League Championship. In 2005, San Jose set franchise batting records for average (.295), doubles (292) and home runs (143).

Davenport played professionally, as he was selected by the Giants in the 27th round of the 1981 draft from Santa Clara University and played in the Giants' system for several years before working oversees coaching in South Africa and Italy. He is the son of former San Francisco Giants star and current special assistant of player personnel, Jim Davenport. Gary Davenport and his wife Nancy have two sons, Christopher and Nicholas, and reside in Half Moon Bay, Calif.

Jerry Walker, co-owner and president of the Volcanoes said, "We welcome Gary to our team. He has an incredible track record of coaching success. His teams have made the playoffs eight consecutive years 2005-2012, and have compiled one of the best overall records in Minor League Baseball."

Tom Trebelhorn, who managed the Volcanoes for a record five seasons, will take on expanded duties in 2013, assisting the new managers in both Salem-Keizer and in Arizona during the 2013 season.

Davenport to be featured guest at upcoming sports banquet
Volcanoes fans and media won't have to wait long to meet the new Manager, as Gary Davenport will be the featured guest at the Volcanoes' upcoming 6th Annual Winter Sports Banquet and Sports Memorabilia auction. The banquet will be held at the Keizer Civic Center, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Volcanoes at 503-390-2225, or online at www.volcanoesbaseball.com/tickets.

The Volcanoes will open their 2013 campaign on Thursday, June 13, with a preseason game versus the College All-Stars. The club begins Northwest League play on Friday, June 14, at home versus the Hillsboro Hops -- the first game ever for Hillsboro's professional baseball team will be played at Volcanoes Stadium Friday night, June 14 with a spectacular fireworks show following the game. Ticket packages are currently on sale by calling the Volcanoes at 503-390-2225.