RAILCATS HITTING COACH BRIAN NELSON RESIGNS TO BECOME MANAGER OF WINDY CITY THUNDERBOLTS

FORMER RAILCAT ANDY HAINES LEAVES WINDY CITY FOR FLORIDA MARLINS

 

November 30, 2007                                      Contact:  Tom Nichols at (219) 882-2255

 

Gary, Ind.—The 2007 Northern League Champion Gary SouthShore RailCats announced today that Brian Nelson, the RailCats hitting coach in 2007, has resigned to become the manager of the Windy City ThunderBolts of the Frontier League. 

Nelson's move to Windy City marks the second consecutive year that the ThunderBolts have looked to RailCats manager Greg Tagert's coaching staff to fill their manager position.  Andy Haines, the RailCats hitting coach in 2005 and '06, took over the Windy City club in 2007 and guided the team to the Frontier League title.  Haines, who was selected Frontier League manager of the year in 2007, resigned earlier this week to accept a minor league coaching position with the Florida Marlins.

 

"I could not be happier for both Brian and Andy," said Tagert.  "Not only are both very good at what they do on the baseball field, more importantly, they are just wonderful people.  Brian was the perfect fit for the club and myself last season when taking over Andy's position.  He was outstanding in every aspect.  From a personal standpoint, I owe him a heart felt thanks.  He took over the ballclub under difficult circumstances for me and did a tremendous job. The ThunderBolts have made an excellent hire."

 

Nelson (pictured above) served as interim manager of the RailCats briefly during the 2007 season when Tagert returned to California following the passing of his father.

 

"I'm thrilled at the opportunity to take over the team in Windy City," said Nelson. "I look forward to building on the success from last season and plan on returning to the Championship Series."

 

Today's announcement is the latest connection between the RailCats, ThunderBolts, and Marlins.  Following the 2005 season, the Marlins hired RailCats outfielder Anthony Iapoce to serve as a minor league hitting coach.  Iapoce has since advanced two levels in the Marlins organization in that role.  The Marlins also signed pitcher Willie Glen, the most successful player in RailCats history, following the 2007 season and have now added Haines as a minor league coach.  Meanwhile, the top hitter on Haines' 2007 Windy City club was Mike Coles, a former RailCats outfielder who batted .330 for the ThunderBolts this past season.  Former RailCats hitting coach Brent Bowers also served as manager of the Windy City franchise prior to Haines' arrival. 

 

"Andy Haines is going to be successful in anything he chooses to do and this is an opportunity to showcase even more of his ability," continued Tagert.  "There is no person I am more confident in than Andy and from a personal standpoint.  I am extremely proud of him.  The Marlins are a better franchise today with Andy, along with our other RailCats, Willie Glen and Anthony Iapoce."

 

More Info:  The Gary SouthShore RailCats are a Professional Minor League Baseball Team serving Northwest Indiana and Chicago's south suburbs. The RailCats won the Northern League championship in 2005 and 2007 and for each of the last four years, they have been chosen "Best Local Spectator Sport" by Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly.  Their 96 game schedule includes 48 home games at beautiful U. S. Steel Yard, an award-winning 6,000 seat state-of-the-art facility located next to the Indiana Toll Road (I-90) with easy access to I-65.

 

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