Only Vermont, the GCL and DSL to go. From Hagerstown
The Washington Nationals have announced the Hagerstown Suns coaching staff for the upcoming 2008 season. The Suns staff features former Major Leaguers with plenty of Minor League coaching experience. Darnell Coles will serve as the Suns manager, and Tony Tarasco will be brought in as the hitting coach to complement returning pitching coach, Paul Menhart. Completing the staff are Sergio Mendez and trainer Atsushi Toriida.
Coles moves to manager role in Hagerstown from the same role in Vermont in 2007. He replaces Tommy Herr who left the organization. Tarasco was the hitting coach under Coles in Vermont. Tarasco replaces Jerry Browne who assumes the same role in Potomac. Mendez was a manager for the Nationals in the DSL. It appears he will have a general coaching role.
Suns Fan | 22-Dec-07 at 6:28 pm | Permalink
This is good news for us in Hagerstown, I think.
A friendly tip to Coles: this is a small town. Nobody expects you to sign an autograph before a game, or even after one for that matter, but the kids would like them from time to time. But don’t do as has been done previously and walk to the club house on the in-play side of the foul line after the game ends. Walk close enough, wave, and occasionally say hi or thanks for coming out. That’ll make people happy.
Menhart staying tells me that they intend to start many of the Vermont pitchers in Hagerstown in 2008. The organization seems to be pretty high on Menhart, and it’d make sense to put him where the pitchers that need development are.
I am looking forward to 2008. Go Suns!
Mark | 28-Dec-07 at 12:48 am | Permalink
Suns Fan - - I only met Darnell Coles once last season when he came down to Abderdeen and not only did he make time to sign autographs but he actually had conversations with me and some of the other fans, he is a class act and loves working with young players.
Ma Pic | 29-Dec-07 at 9:46 pm | Permalink
Suns fans are very lucky to be getting Darnell Coles as their teams coach this year. He is a players coach and will become like family to the fans. He loves children and will always take time to stop and say hi. What a wonderful human being. I can only say your gain is our loss here in Vermont.
Suns Fan | 02-Jan-08 at 2:41 pm | Permalink
I am happy to hear that. I look forward to next year. It should be a great season here. I look forward to meeting Darnell Coles and the new players that will be playing here next year.