10 MLB teams with new managers for the 2020 season
Part 1…Non-major league experience
- Question 1: Four of the 10 never played in a major league game. Name the four.
- Question 2: Which of the 10 played part of his career in Japan?
- Question 3: Which of the 10 played the most games as a minor leaguer?
- Question 4: One of the 10 had a minor league season that included 146 RBIs. Who?
Answer 1: Maddon was a catcher during parts of four minor league seasons, all in the Angels system. He never rose above Class A. Between 2000 and 2005, Roja played sporadically in the Orioles, Marlins and Nationals systems. From 1992 to 1993, Shelton was a catcher in the Yankees system. He hit .341 but his career was ended by shoulder surgery. Between 2003 and 2006, Tingler played in the Jays and Rangers systems.
Answer 2: Kapler played part of the 2005 season with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan’s Central League. He hit .153 in 120 plate appearances before signing a free-agent contract with the Red Sox for 2006.
Answer 3: Roenicke may have been a major league journeyman, but he dominated the minors. In addition to 527 major league games, he played 919 games across 12 minor league seasons, 622 of them at AAA. That’s more AAA starts than any of the other new managers played during their entire minor league careers.
Answer 4: Back when he was a hot prospect, Kapler fairly torched Southern League pitchers, Playing for Jacksonville in 1998, he hit .322 with 28 home runs and 146 RBIs. Promoted to Detroit in 1999, he batted .245 with 49 RBIs.