Johnson to head 2012 Field Staff
Walling, Griffin to serve as coaches
The Norfolk Tides and their parent club, the Baltimore Orioles, have announced Norfolk's field staff for the 2012 season. Ron Johnson replaces Gary Allenson as the Tides' manager, while Mike Griffin will serve as pitching coach and Denny Walling will be the club's hitting coach. Mark Shires will return as the team's trainer.
"We are extremely excited that Ron Johnson will be joining the Tides staff in 2012" said Tides president Ken Young. "Ron brings a proven track record of success at both the major and minor league levels, and I look forward to watching him work with the Orioles young talent this season."
Johnson, 55, will be in his first year in the Orioles organization after spending the previous 12 seasons in the Boston Red Sox system. He served as Boston's first base coach during the last two seasons after managing the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox from 2005-2009. Johnson has served as a minor league manager for 18 seasons in the Royals (1992-99) and Red Sox systems (2000-09), posting a career record of 1,261-1,262.
Johnson, who was an All-American at Fresno State University, was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 1978 and played in 22 Major League games over parts of three seasons with the Royals (1982-83) and Expos (1984).
Griffin, 54, will be entering his fourth season as Norfolk's pitching coach and his fifth season in the Orioles organization. Griffin was presented with the Cal Ripken Sr. Player Development Award in both 2009 and 2010, an award presented to a minor league staff member who exemplifies the qualities of the late Oriole who is regarded as the architect of "The Oriole Way". He also served as a pitching coach alongside Ron Johnson for three seasons (2005-07) while both were coaching with the Pawtucket Red Sox.
Walling, 57, will be in his first season with the Tides after spending the previous six seasons as the Orioles minor league roving hitting instructor. He is in his third stint with the Orioles organization, and he's also served as the hitting coach for the New York Mets (2003-04) and Oakland Athletics (1996-98). Walling had an 18-year playing career in which he batted .271 while appearing in 1,271 games with Oakland, Houston, St. Louis and Texas.
Shires, 35, will be in his sixth season as the Athletic Trainer for the Tides and his 13th with the Orioles system. The International League named Shires its Trainer of the Year in 2012, the second time he has received the honor (2009).
Former manager Gary Allenson, who skippered the Tides from 2007-2011, will serve as manager of the Class-A Aberdeen IronBirds this season.
Ron Johnson's Managerial Record:
"We are extremely excited that Ron Johnson will be joining the Tides staff in 2012" said Tides president Ken Young. "Ron brings a proven track record of success at both the major and minor league levels, and I look forward to watching him work with the Orioles young talent this season."
Johnson, 55, will be in his first year in the Orioles organization after spending the previous 12 seasons in the Boston Red Sox system. He served as Boston's first base coach during the last two seasons after managing the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox from 2005-2009. Johnson has served as a minor league manager for 18 seasons in the Royals (1992-99) and Red Sox systems (2000-09), posting a career record of 1,261-1,262.
Johnson, who was an All-American at Fresno State University, was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 1978 and played in 22 Major League games over parts of three seasons with the Royals (1982-83) and Expos (1984).
Griffin, 54, will be entering his fourth season as Norfolk's pitching coach and his fifth season in the Orioles organization. Griffin was presented with the Cal Ripken Sr. Player Development Award in both 2009 and 2010, an award presented to a minor league staff member who exemplifies the qualities of the late Oriole who is regarded as the architect of "The Oriole Way". He also served as a pitching coach alongside Ron Johnson for three seasons (2005-07) while both were coaching with the Pawtucket Red Sox.
Walling, 57, will be in his first season with the Tides after spending the previous six seasons as the Orioles minor league roving hitting instructor. He is in his third stint with the Orioles organization, and he's also served as the hitting coach for the New York Mets (2003-04) and Oakland Athletics (1996-98). Walling had an 18-year playing career in which he batted .271 while appearing in 1,271 games with Oakland, Houston, St. Louis and Texas.
Shires, 35, will be in his sixth season as the Athletic Trainer for the Tides and his 13th with the Orioles system. The International League named Shires its Trainer of the Year in 2012, the second time he has received the honor (2009).
Former manager Gary Allenson, who skippered the Tides from 2007-2011, will serve as manager of the Class-A Aberdeen IronBirds this season.
| 1992 | Baseball City | Florida State (A) | 71 | 60 | .542 | 2nd/2nd |
| 1993 | Wilmington | Carolina (A) | 74 | 65 | .530 | 1st/4th |
| 1994 | Memphis | Southern (AA) | 75 | 62 | .548 | 2md/3rd |
| 1995 | Wichita | Texas (AA) | 72 | 64 | .529 | 4th/1st |
| 1996 | Wichita | Texas (AA) | 70 | 70 | .500 | 1st/3rd |
| 1997 | Wichita | Texas (AA) | 64 | 76 | .457 | 4th/3rd |
| 1998 | Omaha | Pacific Coast (AAA) | 79 | 64 | .552 | 2nd |
| 1999 | Omaha | Pacific Coast (AAA) | 81 | 60 | .567 | 1st |
| 2000 | Sarasota | Florida State (A) | 60 | 79 | .432 | 6th/6th |
| 2001 | Sarasota | Florida State (A) | 54 | 83 | .394 | 6th/6th |
| 2002 | Trenton | Eastern (AA) | 63 | 77 | .450 | 5th |
| 2003 | Portland | Eastern (AA) | 72 | 70 | .514 | 3rd |
| 2004 | Portland | Eastern (AA) | 69 | 73 | .486 | T-4th |
| 2005 | Pawtucket | International (AAA) | 75 | 69 | .521 | T-2nd |
| 2006 | Pawtucket | International (AAA) | 69 | 75 | .479 | 5th |
| 2007 | Pawtucket | International (AAA) | 67 | 75 | .472 | 4th |
| 2008 | Pawtucket | International (AAA) | 85 | 58 | .594 | 2nd |
| 2009 | Pawtucket | International (AAA) | 61 | 82 | .427 | 5th |