Crabbe to Lead Spinners for Third Time in 2012

LOWELL, MASS. - The Lowell Spinners, Class-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, announced baseball veteran Bruce Crabbe will return to Lowell for his third stint as the team's manager, joined by returning pitching coach Paul Abbott and hitting coach Nelson Paulino.

"We are pleased to welcome Bruce back to Lowell," said Spinners President and General Manager Tim Bawmann. "He is a true baseball lifer and great teacher of the game, as well as a great fit for our organizational culture."

Crabbe enters his eighth year in the Red Sox organization and ninth season as a Minor League manager after leading the Salem Red Sox to a 64-75 record in 2011. He has previously managed the Spinners in 2006, a team headlined by Justin Masterson, and a 2010 squad highlighted by top prospects Bryce Brentz and Brandon Jacobs. He replaces Carlos Febles, who takes the helm of the Greenville Drive in 2012.

Prior to joining the Red Sox organization, Crabbe spent seven seasons with the Texas Rangers organization, earning Manager of the Year honors with Pulaski in 1999. He had played professionally with the Cubs, Blue Jays and Braves after an All-American career at the University of Florida.

Abbott, who pitched in the Major Leagues for parts of 11 seasons, returns to Lowell for a second season after making his Red Sox organizational debut with the team in 2011. A veteran of 11 seasons at the Major League level, Abbott earned a career-high 17 victories during the Mariners 116-win season in 2001. He had previously served as an assistant coach at Fullerton Junior College and pitching coach with the Orange County Flyers of the Golden Baseball League.

Paulino is a newcomer to Lowell as he enters his 15th consecutive year with the Red Sox after joining the organization in 1998. He has most recently served as the hitting coach of the Dominican Summer League Red Sox and has previously acted as the cub's bench coach (2007) and manager (2003-06). A switch-hitting infielder, Paulino played four seasons in the Atlanta Braves organization, hitting .261 with five home runs and 56 stolen bases in 306 career minor league games. Paulino replaces Rich Gedman who joins the Salem Red Sox in the same capacity.

"We look forward to welcoming Paul back to Lowell and to adding Nelson as a member of the Spinners community," added Bawmann. "Their experiences will be invaluable for our players."

The final addition to the Spinners coaching staff have yet to be announced, as the Spinners Head Athletic Trainer has yet to be revealed. There was no biographical information available on TBD at this time.