Edwin Rodriguez Named Manager Of The Carolina Mudcats

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2011

EDWIN RODRIGUEZ NAMED MANAGER OF THE CAROLINA MUDCATS
Managed Florida Marlins in 2010-11

CLEVELAND, OH - The Cleveland Indians today named Edwin Rodriguez as Manager of the Class-A Advanced Carolina Mudcats of the Carolina League.

Rodriguez, 51, compiled a two-year managerial record of 78-85 (.479) over his two seasons as Manager of the Florida Marlins from June 23, 2010 to June 18, 2011, becoming the first Puerto Rican-born manager in Major League history. Prior to his stint as Marlins skipper he managed in the Florida Player Development System from 2005-2010, first joining the Marlins in 2004 as hitting coach for the then Double-A Mudcats.

In 2004, Rodriguez mentored future major leaguers Josh Willingham and Chip Ambres as the Mudcats finished 73-66. He then spent time as manager of the Marlins' Gulf Coast rookie league team (2005-2006), Class-A Greensboro Grasshoppers (2007-2008) and Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs (2008-2010).

"We are excited to start both a new era in the Carolina League and new partnership with the Cleveland Indians by welcoming back Edwin Rodriguez to Zebulon," said Carolina Mudcats owner Steve Bryant. "Edwin has had a successful career as a manager in both the Minor Leagues and Major Leagues and we look forward to working with him in 2012."

Rodriguez spent parts of three seasons in the Major Leagues with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres from 1982-85 before concluding his player career in 1987. He has been in the game as a player, coach, scout and manager for the last 32 seasons.

The Carolina Mudcats will play their 22nd season in Wake County and first in the Carolina League in 2012. The 70-game regular-season begins on Friday, April 6 2012 as the Mudcats host the Winston-Salem Dash.

---carolinamudcats.com---