Hulett back to manage Indians

SPOKANE, WA -- The Spokane Indians and their major league affiliate, the Texas Rangers, announced that manager Tim Hulett, Sr., who led the Indians to the Northwest League Championship last season, will return to Spokane for the 2009 season. Jeff Andrews, who was the major league pitching coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, will serve as the club's pitching coach. Former Texas Rangers player Jason Hart will assume coach duties in Spokane after assisting the Rangers former Midwest League affiliate, the Clinton LumberKings, last season.

With Hulett at the helm the last two seasons, the Indians have compiled an 87-68 record along with a NWL Championship in 2008. Hulett was also named Northwest League Manager of the year last season. A former first round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox, Hulett has plenty of major league experience, playing in parts of 12 seasons with the White Sox, Orioles and Cardinals. Hulett appeared in 720 major league games, hitting .249 with 48 home runs and 220 RBI.

Andrews brings 23 years of experience as a pitching coach and coordinator in both the minor leagues and the majors. He began his coaching career as a minor league instructor with the Rangers in 1986 after pitching two years in the Chicago Cubs farm system.

Hart, a former Northwest League All-Star, began his minor league career in the Northwest League with the former Southern Oregon Timberjacks in 1998 after being drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the fifth round. After being traded to the Rangers in 2002, he made his major league debut the same year, appearing in 10 games. Hart remained in the Texas organization until 2006, except for a brief stint with Minnesota in 2005.

The Indians open the 2009 season June 20 against the Yakima Bears at Avista Stadium.