Cape League Undergoes Coaching Changes11/20/2003 9:25 AM Article By: for immediate release: 20 November, 2003
CAPE LEAGUE UNDERGOES COACHING CHANGES
Second year field managers Garrett Quinn of the Cotuit Kettleers and Keith Stohr of the Hyannis Mets will be moving on in 2004. Quinn was recently married and has taken on added responsibilities in his professional life, while Stohr has accepted a full-time scouting position with the Chicago Cubs. Quinn led Cotuit to 13 straight opening-season wins and a playoff berth in 2002 and was replaced by Mike Roberts, who led the Wareham Gatemen to CCBL Western Division Championships in 2000 and 1984. Roberts served as head coach at the University of North Carolina from 1976-98 and was head coach at UNC-Ashville from 1999-2000. Roberts, whose son Brian is a second baseman with the Baltimore Orioles and played with the Chatham A’s, currently teaches middle school in North Carolina after a short stint as AD at Florida Southern. He led the Tar Heels’ baseball team to five regular season and four postseason Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Titles. “We’ve excited about having Mike Roberts as our new field manager,” said Cotuit Kettleers General Manager Bruce Musphy. “Garrett Quinn did an excellent job for us the last two years and we wish him the best.” After serving two seasons as pitching coach for Hyannis in 2000 and 2001, Stohr led the Mets to a second place finish and a berth in the playoffs in 2003, after a last place finish in 2002. “With great regret I have accepted the resignation of the Hyannis Mets Head Coach Keith Stohr,” said Hyannis GM John Howitt. “Keith has accepted a full time scouting position with the Chicago Cubs. It will mean relocating out of the area, most likely to the Cincinnati, Ohio region. “Obviously, we wish Keith the best, but we are very sad to see him go, said Howitt. “ In the four years he has been with Mets, he has shown all the qualities we admire in a coach, and will be difficult to replace. This past season was particularly great. More than just making the playoffs, we had a team we were extremely proud of. Keith was largely responsible for the formation and direction of that club. We have begun the process of screening and interviewing immediately.”
Left-handed Billy Wagner, who played for the Brewster Whitecaps in 1992, was dealt from the Houston Astros to the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Brandon Duckworth and minor league pitchers Taylor Busholz and Ezequiel Astacio. The three-time All-Star flame-throwing reliever compiled a 1-4 record with a sparkling 1.78 ERA and 44 saves in 47 opportunities.
Bobby Kielty, who was the Cape League’s MVP and batting champion in 1998, was traded from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Oakland A’s for pitcher Ted Lilly and either cash or a player to be named later. Kielty hit .244 with 13 home runs and 57 RBI with Toronto and Minnesota. Bobby captured the Thurman Munson Award as the league’s batting champion in ’98 with a .384 average for the Brewster Whitecaps.
For the first time in 2003, every Cape League regular season, All-Star and playoff game was broadcast live on the internet and phone lines through Free Teamline Service. According to TRZ Director of Marketing Michael Wilt, a total of 27,587 people (parents, fans and coaches) listened to Cape League games last summer through Teamline. The following are the total listeners for the 2003 Cape League season, split-up based on delivery method.
John Garner, Jr. |