DURHAM — Continuity in the clubhouse will continue for the Triple-A champion Durham Bulls, as the team announced Charlie Montoyo return as manager for the 2010 season.
His entire staff also has been retained, including pitching coach Xavier Hernandez, batting coach Dave Myers and trainer Rodger Fleming.
“It feels great to be coming back to one of the best franchises in minor league baseball,” Montoyo said in a statement released by the Bulls. “I’m very fortunate to get to work with such wonderful people and lead this team in front of these tremendous fans.”
The Bulls, champions of the International League, also captured their first national championship under the direction of Montoyo, who will be entering his fourth year with the team. In his first three seasons, Montoyo’s teams won three division titles and earned three trips to the league finals.
Montoyo’s 243 wins are fifth all-time in franchise history, and he needs 76 wins to move into second place. Bill Evers, who managed the Bulls for eight seasons, is first with 613.
Montoyo received two awards this off-season, the Mike Coolbaugh Award presented by Minor League Baseball at the Winter Meetings and Baseball America’s Minor League Manager of the Year Award.
“We couldn’t be happier,” Bulls general manager Mike Birling said. “All these guys have done since joining us is win, but more importantly they understand the importance of the Bulls’ efforts in the community and our incredible fans.”
Montoyo has been part of the Tampa Bay Rays’ organization for 14 seasons. He spent 10 years as an infielder in the Milwaukee Brewers, Montreal Expos and Philadelphia Phillies organizations, reaching the major leagues for 27 games in 1993 with the Expos. He and his wife, Samantha, live in Arizona with their two children, Tyson and Alex.
Hernandez returns for his fourth season with the Bulls, while Myers will be in his second.
