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Reds shuffle Mustangs field staff for 2009

Former big leaguers DeShields, Forsch to join coaching staff
January 8, 2009
BILLINGS, Mont. -- The Cincinnati Reds have formally announced that two former Major Leaguers will join the Billings Mustangs field staff with the hiring of Delino DeShields as hitting coach and Bob Forsch as pitching coach for the 2009 Pioneer League season.

DeShields replaces Tony Jaramillo, who recently was promoted to Dayton of the Midwest League and Forsch fills the vacancy created when Tom Browning took a job with the Reds' Double-A affiliate in Carolina. DeShields and Forsch will join Julio Garcia, who returns to Billings for his second season as Mustangs field manager. Last season was Garcia's first year in Billings and he led the Mustangs to 42-32 record and a Pioneer League playoff berth. This year will mark Garcia's 15th season as a Minor League manager.

DeShields, 39, enjoyed a 13-year Major League career with the Montreal Expos, Dodgers, Cardinals, Orioles and Cubs. In 1987, DeShields was the first-round pick of the Expos. DeShields, who also was offered a scholarship to play basketball for Villanova University, made his debut with Montreal in 1990. That year, he finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting.

In his Major League career, DeShields batted .268 with 80 home runs and 561 RBI. His 463 career stolen bases rank him in the top 50 all-time for Major League Baseball. DeShields finished his career with the Cubs, playing his final season in 2002.

Forsch, 58, spent most of his 16-year Major League career with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he pitched a pair of no-hitters in 1978 and 1983. He and his brother Ken Forsch are the only set of brothers to both pitch official no-hitters. Ken, who pitched for the Houston Astros, threw one in 1979.

In all, Bob pitched in the big leagues from 1974 to 1989 and had a record of 168-136 with a career 3.76 ERA. His best year came in 1977, when he won 20 games against just seven losses. He was a member of the Cardinals 1982 World Series Champions and also pitched in the 1985 and 1987 World Series with St. Louis.

The Mustangs open the 2009 season at Dehler Park on June 23, when Billings hosts the Great Falls Voyagers at 7:05 p.m.