LumberKings announce 2010 field staff
John Tamargo
Tamargo brings 36 years of pro baseball experience to the LumberKings as the club's new manager. He joined the Mariners system last year, leading Class A Short-Season Everett to a 39-37 record and a second-place finish in the Northwest League West Division. Tamargo owns a career 1089-960 record over 18 seasons as a Minor League manager with the New York Mets, Houston Astros and Milwaukee Brewers organizations. His career coaching highlights include managing New Orleans to the Triple-A World Series in 1998 and serving as Astros' bench coach under Jimy Williams for two seasons. Originally drafted in the sixth round of the June 1973 First-Year Player Draft by St. Louis, Tamargo played in 135 Major League games for the Cardinals, San Francisco Giants and Montreal Expos.
Dwight Bernard
Bernard joins Clinton as the pitching coach after holding the same title for triple-A Tacoma for four seasons. Under his guidance, Rainiers' pitchers finished 74-70 with a 4.82 ERA in 2009. Bernard will begin his eighth season in the Seattle system, having also held the pitching coach post in Class A Advanced Inland Empire (2004) and Double-A San Antonio (2005). He has twice held the lofty organizational position of Minor League pitching coordinator, including 2003 with the Milwaukee Brewers and 1990-1996 with the Minnesota Twins. Originally drafted by the New York Mets in the second round of the June 1974 Draft, Bernard pitched in the Major Leagues with the Mets and Brewers, and was a part of Milwaukee's 1982 American League Championship team.
Terry Pollreisz
Pollreisz returns to the Midwest League after spending 2009 as the hitting coach for Double-A West Tenn. His Diamond Jaxx club finished with a .242 team average and featured both the Southern League's top hitter for average (Ezequiel Carrera, .337) and top home run hitter (Greg Halman, tied with 25). Pollreisz has spent 11 seasons in the Mariners system, managing the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2008, following coaching stints with Tacoma (2004-2007), San Antonio (2002-2003) and Everett (manager from 1998-2001). The Whitefish, Mont., native also spent 10 seasons as the head coach at the University of Portland.
B.J. Downie
Downie assumes the role of LumberKings' trainer after spending 2009 as an assistant to Triple-A Tacoma trainer Tom Newberg.
Clinton's strength and conditioning coordinator position has yet to be announced.
The 2010 season begins on Thursday, April 8 as the LumberKings host the Peoria Chiefs at Alliant Energy Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. For 2010 season tickets, group outings, merchandise and more, please call the LumberKings at (563) 242-0727 or visit www.lumberkings.com online.