Bats Announce Coaching Staff for 2006

Louisville, KY - Rick Sweet, 53, will return as manager of the Louisville Bats for the 2006 season. In his first season with Louisville in 2005, Sweet guided the Bats to a 66-78 record.

Following a nine-year playing career (1975-83) as a catcher, including three seasons in the majors with the Padres (1978), Mets (1982) and Mariners (1982-83), Rick enters his 18th year as a minor league manager. Sweet now owns a career minor league managerial record of 1,115-1,133.

"I'm very excited to come back to the Reds organization in Louisville in 2006," said Sweet. "Louisville is a great city with a fantastic stadium and it's just a terrific situation for me. I'm thrilled about the players the Reds have signed so far and feel we will be a strong ballclub this year."

Adrian "Smokey" Garrett returns to the Louisville staff as hitting coach for 2006. It will be Garrett's fourth consecutive season with Louisville. Garrett played 19 years of professional baseball (1961-79), including parts of eight seasons in the majors with Atlanta, Chicago-NL, Oakland and California.

Lee Tunnell joins the Louisville staff and will serve as pitching coach for the 2006 campaign. Tunnell has spent the previous nine years in the Texas Rangers organization, most recently as pitching coach for Triple-A Oklahoma in 2005. Tunnell pitched six seasons in the Major Leagues with Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Minnesota, posting a 22-28 career record with a 4.23 ERA. Tunnell is also a former Louisville player, pitching for the Redbirds in 1987 and 1988. Tunnell replaces Mack Jenkins who was promoted to Reds minor league pitching coordinator.

Another newcomer to the staff is coach Alonzo Powell. Powell enters his fifth season in the Reds organization and first with Louisville. He has spent the previous two seasons as manager at Single-A Dayton. Powell enjoyed a 19-year playing career, having stints in the majors with the Expos (1987) and Mariners (1991).

Chris Lapole also returns to Louisville for his second season as the Bats head trainer. Lapole was selected as a trainer for the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League this off season. Lapole will be in his eighth season as a trainer in the Reds organization.