Shorebirds Announce 2009 Coaching Staff
Gomez and Beatty set to coach Delmarva
On Monday, January 12th the Orioles announced the coaching staffs for their eight minor league affiliates for the upcoming 2009 season, and among those announcements were changes to the staff of Delmarva.
Your Delmarva Shorebirds will see a new skipper at the helm for the 2nd straight season as they will be managed by ORLANDO GOMEZ, who replaces Ramon Sambo after just one season with the 'Birds. Gomez, who will be entering his 14th season as a minor league manager, comes to Delmarva from Bluefield, where he managed the Appalachain League team in 2008. Prior to his stint with Bluefield, Gomez spent three seasons as batting practice pitcher on the Orioles major league staff. He has managed at every level of minor league baseball during his previous 13 years of coaching, as well as the Puerto Rican Amateur League.
Joining Gomez will be Pitching Coach BLAINE BEATTY, who replaces Kennie Steenstra after 4 seasons in Delmarva. Beatty spent the last three seasons with the Frederick Keys as their pitching instructor. He was drafted by the Orioles in 1986 and spent 12 seasons in the minors, compiling a record of 121-69 with a 3.26 ERA. He made 7 major league appearances with the Mets between 1989 and 1991. Prior to returning to the Orioles organization in 2006, Beatty was a pitching coach in the Mets system from 2003 to 2005 and the Pirates system from 1998 to 2002.
Former Orioles infielder RYAN MINOR rounds out the 2009 coaching staff as he returns for his second season as the Shorebirds field coach. Minor was drafted in 1996 by the Orioles and spent a memorable season playing with the Shorebirds in 1997, where he helped lead the team to the South Atlantic League Championship.
"We are looking forward to working with Orlando and Blaine this season, as well as Ryan. With this announcement, it just means we are that much closer to Opening Day, and I'm sure these guys are just as excited as I am about getting the '09 season underway. We will miss Ramon and Kennie, but I know the new staff will be just as nice to work with as previous staff(s) have been." - stated Chris Bitters, General Manager of the Delmarva Shorebirds
Be sure to experience the excitement of Shorebirds Baseball on Opening Night, Thursday, April 16th at 7:05pm! Shorebirds Baseball...It's A Shore Thing!
Your Delmarva Shorebirds will see a new skipper at the helm for the 2nd straight season as they will be managed by ORLANDO GOMEZ, who replaces Ramon Sambo after just one season with the 'Birds. Gomez, who will be entering his 14th season as a minor league manager, comes to Delmarva from Bluefield, where he managed the Appalachain League team in 2008. Prior to his stint with Bluefield, Gomez spent three seasons as batting practice pitcher on the Orioles major league staff. He has managed at every level of minor league baseball during his previous 13 years of coaching, as well as the Puerto Rican Amateur League.
Joining Gomez will be Pitching Coach BLAINE BEATTY, who replaces Kennie Steenstra after 4 seasons in Delmarva. Beatty spent the last three seasons with the Frederick Keys as their pitching instructor. He was drafted by the Orioles in 1986 and spent 12 seasons in the minors, compiling a record of 121-69 with a 3.26 ERA. He made 7 major league appearances with the Mets between 1989 and 1991. Prior to returning to the Orioles organization in 2006, Beatty was a pitching coach in the Mets system from 2003 to 2005 and the Pirates system from 1998 to 2002.
Former Orioles infielder RYAN MINOR rounds out the 2009 coaching staff as he returns for his second season as the Shorebirds field coach. Minor was drafted in 1996 by the Orioles and spent a memorable season playing with the Shorebirds in 1997, where he helped lead the team to the South Atlantic League Championship.
"We are looking forward to working with Orlando and Blaine this season, as well as Ryan. With this announcement, it just means we are that much closer to Opening Day, and I'm sure these guys are just as excited as I am about getting the '09 season underway. We will miss Ramon and Kennie, but I know the new staff will be just as nice to work with as previous staff(s) have been." - stated Chris Bitters, General Manager of the Delmarva Shorebirds
Be sure to experience the excitement of Shorebirds Baseball on Opening Night, Thursday, April 16th at 7:05pm! Shorebirds Baseball...It's A Shore Thing!