Quakes announce 2009 coaching staff

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Angels' director of player development, Abe Flores, and the Quakes executive vice president and general manager, Gerard McKearney, have announced the coaching staff for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes for the 2009 season. Former Major Leaguer Eric Owens will take over as the Quakes' manager, Dan Ricabal returns as the pitching coach, Damon Mashore will be the hitting coach and Mike Metcalfe will return as the athletic trainer.

"These four men will bring energy, dedication and organization on a daily basis," Abe Flores said, "bringing a high level of professionalism to the players".

Eric Owens will be a manager for the first time in his career in 2009. He was most recently the hitting coach for the Texas League Champion Arkansas Travelers in 2008, after spending 2006 and 2007 as the hitting coach in Cedar Rapids. The '08 Travelers finished with an overall batting average of .259, but slugged the third most home runs, in the league at 128. A nine-year veteran of the Major Leagues, Owens was hired by the Angels following the 2005 season. In 806 big-league games, Owens hit .264 with 26 home runs and 214 RBIs with the Reds, Padres, Brewers, Marlins and Angels.

"We are excited to have Eric and Damon join Dan and Mike on the Quakes '09 field staff" Gerard McKearney said. "Having been a fan of Eric Owens as a player, I look forward to his enthusiasm and the energy he'll bring to the Quakes as a manager."

Pitching coach Dan Ricabal returns to Rancho Cucamonga a year after the Quakes were eighth in the California League with a 4.89 ERA. He has been in the Angels organization since 2006 and has coached in the Arizona League and for Class A Cedar Rapids. Ricabal was also the pitching coach for the UC Santa Barbara baseball program. A former All-American pitcher at Cal State Fullerton with six years of professional baseball experience, he compiled an impressive 23-4 record under college baseball coaching legend Augie Garrido. He grew up in Rosemead Calif., and was a graduate of San Gabriel High School.

Damon Mashore will serve as the Quakes' hitting coach after being in Cedar Rapids during the '08 season. In a pitcher-dominated Midwest League, his Kernels had a batting average of .242, slugged 86 home runs and scored 602 runs, seventh most in the league. A former University of Arizona Wildcat, Mashore played three Major League seasons from 1996-1998 with the Oakland A's and Angels. He batted .249 with eight home runs and 41 RBIs in 185 career games. Mashore spent the majority of his playing days in the Minor Leagues, amassing 719 games over 10 seasons. He hit .269 with 63 home runs and 317 RBIs in his Minor League career.

Mike Metcalfe enters his fifth season as an athletic trainer with the Angels organization and his second with the Quakes. He graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., in 2004 earning a Bachelor of Arts degrees in athletic training and health/fitness. Mike, 26, grew up in Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are the Class A Advanced California League affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Fans can get 2009 Season Ticket Packages or Ticket Plans today by calling the Quakes at (909) 481-5000.