Billy Gardner Chosen as All-Star Team Manager
The Syracuse Chiefs are pleased to announce manager Billy Gardner, Jr. has been named manager for the 2015 International League Triple-A All-Star team. Gardner, currently in his second season with the Chiefs, led Syracuse to the best record in the International League in 2014 while earning Manager of the Year honors.
"It's an honor to be chosen and to be at the All-Star Game to watch the best players in the International League play," said Gardner.
The Chiefs finished first in the I.L. last year with a record of 81-62 in Gardner's first season in Syracuse, en route to the first playoff appearance for the Chiefs since 1998. Gardner joins 1990's Bob Bailor as the only Syracuse skippers to ever manage a Triple-A All-Star Game.
"What we're seeing again this year is how great a manager Billy is", said Chiefs general manager Jason Smorol. "He's just been around the game for so long. I know that Billy is proud to represent the Chiefs, and the Chiefs are proud to have the Manager of the Year at the All-Star Game."
Gardner's staff will include Pawtucket Red Sox manager Kevin Boles, Rochester Red Wings hitting coach Tim Doherty and Indianapolis Indians trainer Bryan Housand. The Pacific Coast League staff includes Omaha manager Brian Poldberg, Colorado Springs pitching coach Fred Dabney, Oklahoma City hitting coach Franklin Stubbs and Omaha trainer Dave Iannicca.
The 28th annual Triple-A All-Star Game will take place at Werner Park, home of the PCL's Omaha Storm Chasers, on Wednesday, July 15 at 8:05 p.m. on MLB Network as well as the Triple-A All-Star Game Radio Network.