PRESS RELEASE – The Yuma Scorpions announced today that Jose Canseco has been named as the Manager of the minor league baseball team for this coming season in the North American League. He will also play 1B or DH and will be the first fulltime player manager in professional baseball since Pete Rose held the similar position with the Cincinnati Reds in 1984 – 1986.
In addition, his twin brother Ozzie will serve as his hitting/bench coach and will also play fulltime. Expected to bat in the 3rd and 4th spots in the order, the brothers will be facing a league stocked with AA, AAA, and major league experienced pitching many of whom are half their age. He will also face opposing managers with major league credentials of their own such as Garry Templeton (Maui), Mike Marshall (Chico), Tim Johnson (Lake County), Doc Edwards (San Angelo), and Morgan Burkhart (Calgary).
“I’m excited about my first chance to manage a club in professional baseball and to begin to transition my career to helping younger players and giving back to the game,” said Canseco, “But I know I can still play and hit so this player/manager opportunity was just what I was looking for. Two of my idols started as player managers – Frank Robinson (Cleveland 1975) and Joe Torre (NY Mets 1977), and I can only hope to follow in their footsteps.”
The Cansecos have already reported to Yuma and will be there fulltime as they continue to build the 2011 Scorpions roster and will be very active in the community working with youth sports and in fundraising activities with charitable organizations. Spring training starts on May 14th and the club opens the season on May 24th hosting the Calgary Vipers.
A press conference is set for 2 P.M. tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Desert Sun Stadium media room where Jose will be introduced, discuss his plans for the team, and his plans to be actively engaged with the Yuma community. This is an open press conferece with all media invited as well as Yuma community and business leaders, Scorpions Boosters and fans.
The North American League launches on May 24th as one of the largest independent minor leagues in the country in terms of teams and the largest in geographic scope. Teams are based in Chicago, Texas, California, Arizona, Hawaii, and western Canada and with the exception of major league teams and the AAA Pacific Coast league it is the highest level of professional baseball in the western half of the continent. The entire schedule can be found at www.northamericanleague.com
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The first time Team Conseco has to pay for all the cabs after the hotel shuttles fail to show will either be the beginning or end. I think the man deserves a Pulitzer for his first book, but a solid commitment to lead a team through an already pocked minefield seems a stretch.
Isn’t this the Canseco that the Golden League sued, and won, for a non-appearance thing a few years ago? Maybe he still owes them money. Either way, a train wreck in the making. Par for the course for the GL/NAL people.
Yes. $250k.