FIELD STAFF RETURNS TO BANDITS FOR 2011

After finishing the 2010 season with the second-best overall record in the Midwest League and their first playoff appearance since 2007, the St. Louis Cardinals are sending manager Johnny Rodriguez back to the Quad Cities along with pitching coach Tim Leveque and hitting coach Joe Kruzel.

Rodriguez led a fluid roster of players to an impressive 83-55 mark in his first season at the helm of the River Bandits. Next season will be his third in the Cardinals organization. Prior to taking over the River Bandits, he was the skipper in Johnson City for one season. Rodriguez coached in the Florida Marlins system from 2002-08 before signing on with the Cardinals. Rodriguez has also worked in the Montreal Expos, New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers organizations. He has also coached in the amateur ranks with the University of Miami, Miami-Dade Community College and Westminster Christian High School (Fla.).

Like his skipper, Leveque returns to the Quad Cities for his second season with the River Bandits. He has worked in the Cardinals organization for the past three seasons. The 2011 season will mark the first time during his tenure with the Cardinals that he was worked with the same affiliate in back-to-back seasons. He spent his first season with Johnson City before getting promoted to Batavia for the 2009 campaign. In addition to his coaching duties, Leveque also serves as a pitching specialist who coordinates and studies video of draft-eligible pitchers prior to each season.

Kruzel is back for his fourth season as the hitting coach of the River Bandits, a post he has held since joining the Cardinals' system as a coach in 2008. Prior to his tenure with the Quad Cities and the Cardinals, he worked as a coach in the Cincinnati Reds chain including managing their rookie-level affiliate in Billings, Mont. Prior to joining the professional ranks, Kruzel worked for 16 seasons coaching at the collegiate level.

Athletic Trainer Eric Bauer is the only new addition to the Quad Cities staff for the 2011 season. The well-traveled athletic trainer is no stranger to the Quad Cities having served in that capacity in 2007. He has been with the Cardinals organization for the past six years with stops in Johnson City (2005-06), Palm Beach (2008-09) and most recently Batavia (2010). He has also held internships with the Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners organizations.

The River Bandits will open play on the 2011 season on Thursday, April 7 against the Beloit Snappers at Modern Woodmen Park.