The Men Who Led The Eyes
LAKE ELSINORE, CA - With 2015 in full swing and Spring Training just weeks away, the Lake Elsinore Storm remain the only San Diego Padres affiliate who has yet to be assigned a coaching staff.
A look back at the previous 11 Storm skippers and their impact on the organization:
Mitch Seoane (1994-1996, 221-193)
Seoane had the honor of serving as the first manager in Lake Elsinore Storm history. The Tampa, FL native spent 5 years in the Minor Leagues before ending his playing in 1987. His final year on the shores of Lake Elsinore produced the organization's first-ever California League title in 1996.
Don Long (1997, 61-79)
This former Storm manager and current Cincinnati Reds hitting coach made a brief stop at The Diamond, helming the team for just one season as part of his 12-year stint with the then-California Angels organization.
Mario Mendoza (1998-2000, 199-221)
Mendoza is perhaps best known for what is called the "Mendoza Line," meaning a batting average of .200. After spending 8 years in the Major Leagues, the Chihuahua, Mexico product spent three seasons leading the Eyes.
Craig Colbert (2001, 91-49)
Colbert will forever be associated with perhaps the best Minor League team the San Diego Padres have ever fielded. The 2001 Storm buzzed through the league en route to a co-championship, and featured the likes of Jake Peavy and Xavier Nady. Those future big leaguers helped the 2001 squad earn Baseball America's Minor League Team of the Year honors. Colbert went on to serve as the Padres' bench coach in 2007 and 2008.
George Hendrick (2002, 75-65)
An 18-year veteran of the Major Leagues, Hendrick took the Storm to the championship series in 2002. He currently serves as a special assistant to baseball operations for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Jeff Gardner (2003, 75-65)
A former San Diego Padres infielder, Gardner also served the Storm for just one season. He is currently listed as a scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Rick Renteria (2004-2006, 212-206)
A fan-favorite, former big leaguer Rick Renteria spent three productive seasons in Lake Elsinore. He went on to serve as the manager for the now-defunct Portland Beavers (AAA) in 2007 before joining the Padres as a coach in 2008. The Harbor City, CA native was promoted to bench coach in 2011, and was hired as the Chicago Cubs' manager for the 2014 season.
Carlos Lezcano (2007-2011, 331-298)
Lezcano was a fixture in the Storm dugout for a half-decade, serving the club for 5 seasons and compiling the most wins as a Storm manager in the process. After leaving the team midway through the 2011 season, Lezcano coached in the Puerto Rican Baseball League. In January 2015, Lezcano was announced as the new manager of the independent Joplin Blasters of the American Association.
Phil Plantier (2011, 37-33)
Plantier was promoted to manager after Lezcano left in 2011, and although his stint was short, it was quite successful. The 7-year big leaguer captained the Eyes to their third California League title before being promoted to hitting coach of the San Diego Padres, a position he held until 2014.
Shawn Wooten (2012-2013, 130-150)
A former Storm player, Wooten spent two years managing the club. He currently serves as a hitting coach in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
Jamie Quirk (2014, 75-65)
Major League veteran and World Series champion Jamie Quirk guided the club to a playoff berth in 2014. The former Chicago Cubs bench coach brought a wealth of experience to his first managerial gig, and under his watchful eye a number of the organization's top prospects flourished. He has since been promoted to the head job at AA San Antonio.
Who will be the 12th man to join this list? Details will be released in the coming weeks.
The Storm begin their 22nd season on April 9, 2015. A complete schedule can be found HERE.