Snappers Welcome New Coaching Staff for 2014
The Beloit Snappers will welcome a new coaching staff to Beloit for the 2014 season, their second as an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Rick Magnante will be the Snappers new Manager. Magnante will be entering his eighth season as a member of the Athletics organization. Last season Magnante led the Vermont Lake Monsters to a 33-43 record. Prior to managing in Vermont, Magnante managed the Athletics short-season team in Vancouver for five seasons (2006-10). After the 2012 Lake Monsters season, Magnante managed the South African National team in a World Baseball Qualifying Tournament. Magnante managed South Africa in the 2006 and 2009 WBC's but did not qualify for the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Magnante has also served as an area scout for the A's and is credited with signing players such as Barry Zito and Bobby Crosby. He began his playing career with the Cleveland Indians in 1969 and has held managerial positions in the Detroit Tigers minor league system as well as with Italian Professional team, Novara Serie A. He resides in Van Nuys, California.
` Joining Magnante in Beloit are Pitching Coach Jimmy Escalante and Hitting Coach Lloyd Turner. Escalante spent last season as the Pitching Coach with the Stockton Ports. He has also coached for the A's Arizona League team, Burlington, and Kane County. Escalante was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1996 draft and spent three years in their minor league system. Escalante resides with his wife in Woodside, California. Lloyd Turner is in his second season coaching in the A's organization. Last season he was the Hitting Coach of the Vermont Lake Monsters, where he worked with Beloit's new manager, Rick Magnante. Turner was selected by the A's in the 2002 draft. He spent six years in the Oakland farm system before concluding his playing career with Lancaster and Camden of the independent Atlantic League. He resides with his wife in Hephzibah, Georgia.
The one familiar face on the coaching staff will be that of Athletic Trainer, Brian Thorson. Thorson spent last season in Beloit and will be back again for the 2014 season. This will be his 31st year with the A's organization. He is a University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse graduate and resides in Madison, Wisconsin.
Magnante and company will get the first look at Burlington as Beloit hosts the Bees April 3, 2014 at Pohlman Field; first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 pm. For additional information or tickets call the Snappers Office at (608) 362-2272.