Reigning International League Manager of the Year Takes Aim at Durham’s All-Time Win Mark
Durham Bulls Manager Charlie Montoyo and his championship-winning team will return for the 2014 season.
The Durham Bulls have announced reigning International League Manager of the Year Charlie Montoyo will return for his eighth season in Durham and 17th managing in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. The majority of Durham’s Governors’ Cup Championship staff – Pitching Coach Neil Allen, Hitting Coach Dave Myers and Athletic Trainer Mike Sandoval – will all return to the Bulls bench in 2014. Bryan King joins the club as its new Strength & Conditioning Coach.
Montoyo, 49, boasts a 558-446 (.556) record in seven seasons with the Bulls. His dominant ledger includes six division titles, two Governors’ Cup Championships (2009, 2013) and a Triple-A National Title (2009). He earned his second IL Manager of the Year honor in 2013, as the Bulls held professional baseball’s best record for a majority of the season en route to claiming their fourth IL crown. The native Puerto Rican is just 56 wins shy of eclipsing IL Hall of Famer Bill Evers for most wins by a Durham Bulls skipper.
A veteran of 11 Major League seasons during his own pitching career, Neil Allen returns to the Bulls for his fourth campaign. The 55-year old Kansas native has guided an impressive crop of Durham hurlers, including Matt Moore, Alex Cobb and Chris Archer, to their Tampa Bay Rays debuts.
Dave Myers, 53, begins his sixth season presiding over the Bulls offense. Prior to becoming a part of the Rays organization, the Temple University alum spent 26 seasons in the Mariners system including four years (2001-04) as third base and infield coach at the Major League level.
Mike Sandoval rejoins the Bulls for his third campaign after spending 25 years in the Pittsburgh Pirates system, including 10 seasons as assistant athletic trainer with the major league club.
New to the ranks is Strength & Conditioning Coach Bryan King, who joins the Rays organization after spending the last five seasons as the Major League Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Durham Bulls open their Governors’ Cup title defense at the newly renovated Durham Bulls Athletic Park on April 3, 2014 versus the Gwinnett Braves. Season Ticket and Mini Plan packages for the 2014 season, which include the ability to secure Triple-A All-Star Game and Home Run Derby tickets, can be purchased by calling 919.956.BULL or visiting durhambulls.com.
Thanks to DBBC’s Scott Carter for this capcom story & photo.
