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SWB Yankees announce field staff

December 19, 2006 - International League (IL1)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees News Release


It has certainly been a busy off season for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre franchise. First was the affiliation change followed by a name change. Today the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees have announced an entirely new field staff for 2007 - one that is full of Major League experience.

Dave Miley will be the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees first manager and will be joined by Butch Wynegar (Hitting Coach), Dave Eiland (Pitching Coach) and Alvaro Espinoza (Infield Coach). The four have a combined 47 years of Major League coaching and playing experience. Darren London will serve as the club's Athletic Trainer.

"We are absolutely delighted that the New York Yankees have given us a field staff that is full of big league experience," said Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Executive Vice President/COO Jeremy Ruby. "This is the largest and most experienced staff our franchise has ever had and is sure to be a tremendous asset when the team takes the field in 2007. What a great way to start our new relationship with the New York Yankees."

Miley, 44, will be entering his 2nd season guiding the Yankees' Triple-A team after spending 26 seasons in the Cincinnati Reds' organization. In 2006 he led the Columbus Clippers to a 69-73 record.

On July 28, 2003 he was named the interim manager of the Cincinnati Reds, replacing Bob Boone. On December 4, 2003 the interim tag was dropped after signing a two-year contract. Baseball America named him the National League Manager of the Year of the first half of the 2004 season. In three years with the Reds, he compiled a 125-164 record. He also served one season - 1993, as the Reds bench coach.

Miley is no stranger to the International League having spent six seasons in the IL from 1998 through 2003 with Indianapolis and Louisville. In four seasons at Louisville, he went 296-245 (.547) and established franchise records for wins and games managed (541). Louisville's 5-0 win at Ottawa on May 19, 2002 was his 1,000th career minor league win.

In 2001 he guided Louisville to its first Governors' Cup Championship over the former Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons.

In his minor league managerial career which spans 14 seasons, he has posted a 1,184-914 (.564) record and an impressive 13 winning seasons.

As a player, he was signed by the Reds in 1980 and spent seven seasons as a minor league catcher batting .238 with 16 HR and 172 RBI.

"Unfortunately the teams I've managed in the International League previously have only come to town four times a year. But I have always felt it was one of the most unique stadiums in the league and the fans have always showed great support for the team," said Miley.

"With the quality coaching staff the Yankees have put together I'm excited and ready to get it going now," he added.

HITTING COACH - BUTCH WYNEGAR

Wynegar, 50, brings a wealth of big league experience to the club. He spent the past four seasons as the Milwaukee Brewers Batting Coach and played 13 seasons with the Twins, Yankees and Angels.

While with Milwaukee, his pupils put up some impressive numbers. In 2003 the Brewers' offense was 3rd in the National League with 194 home runs and in 2005 they tied a NL record with 571 extra-base hits.

Prior to joining the Brewers, he was a manager in the Texas Rangers system from 1995-1997 and the Minor League Roving Hitting Instructor from 1998-2002.

As a player, the two-time American League All-Star played in 1,301 major league games compiling a .255 average with 65 HR and 506 RBI. In 1976 he was named The Sporting News American League Rookie of the Year and became the youngest player at the time to appear in an All-Star Game (20 years, 212 days).

While with the Yankees he caught Dave Righetti's no-hitter on July 4, 1983 and Phil Niekro's 300th victory October 1, 1985.

PITCHING COACH - DAVE EILAND

Eiland, 40, is entering his 5th season in the Yankees organization and 1st as the Triple-A Pitching Coach.

He spent the last two seasons guiding the young arms at Double-A Trenton after one year stints in Staten Island (2004) and Gulf Coast (2003).

He was originally selected by the Yankees in the seventh round of the 1987 draft and spent 10 years pitching at the Major League level with the Yankees (1988-1991), San Diego Padres (1992-1993) and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1998-2000) before two "Tommy John" surgeries forced his retirement in 2002.

At the minor league level he posted a career 106-57 record.

INFIELD COACH - ALVARO ESPINOZA

Espinoza, 44, joins the Yankees family after five seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, including three at the big league level.

He began his coaching career in 1998 with the Montreal Expos as their Minor League Infield Coordinator. In 1999 he made his managerial debut with Vero Beach in the Florida State League. In 2000 and 2001 he served as the Dodgers' Roving Minor League Infield Coordinator before joining the Pirates in the same capacity in 2002. From 2003-2005 he joined the Pirates' big league staff as the Infield Instructor before going back to his roving duties last season.

He retired as a player in 1998 after 12 seasons in the big leagues with Minnesota (1984-1986), New York Yankees (1988-1991), Cleveland (1993-1996), New York Mets (1996) and Seattle (1997). He compiled a .254 average with 22 HR and 201 RBI in 942 games.

ATHLETIC TRAINER - DARREN LONDON

London, 39, will be entering his 15th season as the Yankees' Triple-A Athletic Trainer and 19th in the Yankees' organization. He began his career in 1989 working at Class-A Prince William his first two seasons. He was promoted to Class-A Ft. Lauderdale in 1991 and Class-AA Albany in 1992. He joined the Columbus Clippers in 1993. He is a graduate of the University of Maine-Orono where he earned a BS in physical education with a coaching minor.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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