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 Salem Red Sox

It's Official: Pankovits to Manage Avalanche in 2007

December 14, 2006 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem Red Sox News Release


SALEM, VA - The Salem Avalanche, Advanced Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, will have a familiar face coaching third base and managing the ballclub in 2007. Jim Pankovits, the Carolina League's 2006 Manager of the Year, has been named Manager of the Salem Avalanche by the parent Houston Astros.

"I am thrilled to see that 'Panko' will be leading this ballclub for 2007," said John Katz, Avalanche VP / General Manager. "He is a tremendous leader in and out of the clubhouse, and he helped the players develop into champions on and off the field."

Pankovits, 51, was born just 200 miles from Salem in Pennington Gap, VA, and currently resides in Richmond. Prior to skippering the Avalanche in 2006, Pankovits had spent the prior five seasons as the Astros Minor League Defensive Coordinator, making many trips to Salem each year. Pankovits has had two previous stints with the Astros organization as a Manger, the last of which in Double-A Jackson of the Texas League (1998-99). An infielder by trade, Pankovits was drafted by the Astros in 1974 and played 318 games with the parent club.

"This is going to be a great season," said Pankovits. "It looks like we'll have an exciting, talented bunch of players this year, and I am looking forward to Opening Night."

Pankovits' Avalanche followed up a sub-par first half (32-38, 4th in Division) with a stellar second half, racking up a 44-23 record and the Avalanche's first "Half" pennant since 1988. The second half included a franchise-best 14-game winning streak and a 28-5 road record (.848 winning percentage) -- a record believed to be unmatched in modern-day professional baseball. The Avalanche season ended with a first-round Playoff series loss to Kinston.

"Panko is a great Manager and a high-quality individual," said Katz. "He's a terrific role model to these young ballplayers as they develop personally and professionally. I couldn't be more pleased that he's coming back."

Joining Pankovits on the 2007 coaching staff will be Pitching Coach Larry Pierson, Hitting Coach Chuck Carr and Athletic Trainer Eric Montague. Pierson joins the Houston organization from the Cincinnati Reds organization. He served as the Pitching Coach in Dayton (Class-A Midwest League) from 2004 - 2006, spent the 2003 season with the Potomac Cannons in the Carolina League and has also coached in the Boston Red Sox organization. He replaces Stan Boroski, the former Avalanche Pitching Coach who was promoted to Double-A Corpus Christi.

Chuck Carr will be back for his third season in Salem and fourth with the Astros organization. Carr, 39, debuted in the major leagues in 1990 and led the National League in stolen bases in 1993 as a member of the Florid Marlins. Carr finished his major league playing career in 1997, spending much of his final season with the Houston Astros.

Eric Montague is back for his fourth-consecutive season as Athletic Trainer with the Avalanche. Montague was selected to be a Trainer in the Arizona Fall League after the 2005 season. This season will mark the eleventh year in which Montague has worked in professional baseball.

"It's great to have Chuckie and Eric back again for 2007," said Katz. "Larry has some big shoes to fill with Stan Boroski moving up to Double-A, but his experience with the Reds and the Red Sox and his reputation speak for themselves. We're happy to have him."

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Opening Night 2007 is scheduled for Thursday, April 5th, 2007 at 7:07 PM versus the Frederick Keys. Season Tickets, Ticket Books, Hospitality and Sponsorship opportunities are available by calling the Avalanche at 540-389-3333, or by stopping by the Avalanche Front Office, located at Lewis-Gale Medical Center Field at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium. The stadium's address is 1004 Texas St. and is located adjacent to the Salem Civic Center and the Salem Football Stadium. Office Hours are Monday - Friday, 9AM to 5PM. Cash, checks and major credit cards accepted.


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