Duane Espy To Manage Drillers
Prior to his stint with Modesto, Espy has spent parts of 12 seasons as a manager in the minor leagues, winning over 850 games. He also has experience as a coach in the major leagues, serving four seasons (2004-2006) as the Rockies' major league hitting coach under former manager Clint Hurdle and two and a half years (2000-2002) as the hitting coach for the San Diego Padres.
Espy will be joined on the Tulsa staff by another newcomer, Dave Schuler. Schuler will replace Bryan Harvey as the team's pitching coach. The former major league pitcher was the pitching coach for Colorado's Class A affiliate in Asheville, North Carolina last year.
The Drillers and Rockies also announced that hitting coach Dave Hajek, trainer Austin O'Shea and strength coach Al Sandoval will all return to their positions in Tulsa next season.
"We are extremely pleased with the make up of our staff for the upcoming season," said Drillers General Manager Mike Melega. "Duane Espy has a lot of respect throughout the Rockies' organization, and his experience at the highest levels of professional baseball will be a valuable asset for our club."
"With Duane, Dave Hajek and Dave Schuler, we should have one of the top staffs in the Texas League," said Melega.
It will not be Espy's first stint in the Texas League. He spent one of his eight seasons as a minor league player in the TL with Shreveport before managing the Captains for three seasons from 1983 through 1985.
The 3-year stay in Shreveport was part of an 11-season span for Espy as a manager in the San Francisco Giants farm system, where he advanced to the Triple A level and spent two seasons (1990-1991) with Phoenix.
In 2000, he resumed his managerial career with Las Vegas, the Triple A affiliate for San Diego. Midway through that season, he was promoted to the Padres major league coaching staff where he served as the hitting coach.
"I haven't managed for 10 years, so I am excited to get started," said Espy. "I am really looking forward to again being involved in putting together and running a team. I have a great staff to work with, and I know I am going to enjoy it."
"I will also have an advantage because a majority of our team will have been at Modesto the past two years," added Espy.
The 2011 campaign will mark Schuler's third year with the Colorado organization. Prior to joining Asheville last year, the 57-year-old spent the 2009 season with short-season Tri City.
His previous stints have included seven years (1989-1995) in the New York Yankees' system, one year (1996) with the Giants and four years (2000-2003) with the Baltimore Orioles.
For Hajek, it will be his fourth season in Tulsa, while O'Shea returns for his fifth year and Sandoval his third.
Espy and his staff will make their 2011 debuts in Tulsa when the Drillers host the Rockies in a special exhibition game at ONEOK Field on March 30. Tulsa will begin the Texas League regular season on April 7 by hosting Corpus Christi.