The Washington Nationals today announced that manager Trent Jewett, pitching coach Paul Menhart, hitting coach Jerry Browne and head athletic trainer Atsushi Toriida will comprise the 2009 field staff for the Potomac Nationals, the reigning champions of the Single-A Carolina League. Nationals Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Development Bob Boone and Director of Player Development Bobby Williams made the announcement.
Jewett joins the Nationals organization with 17 seasons of managerial and coaching experience. From the release … “In 15 seasons as a manager in the minor leagues, Jewett has amassed 989 career victories. Jewett was honored by industry-insider Baseball America as the International League’s “Best Manager Prospect” in 2007. Prior to joining Washington, he spent his entire career as a player, manager or coach with the Pittsburgh organization. Jewett has enjoyed 11 seasons as a manager at the Triple-A level, including the last six with Nashville (2003-04) of the Pacific Coast League and Indianapolis (2005-08) of the International League.”
Menhart joins the P-Nats after two seasons in Hagerstown.
Browne and Toriida are back for their second straight season with Potomac.
Hagerstown seems the story for Friday.
#1 by Joe From Montana - November 20th, 2008 at 13:31
Any news on Randy Knorr? Has he left the organization or has he been reassigned to another post within it?
#2 by Joe From Montana - November 20th, 2008 at 13:35
Disregard. Did some research and saw that he is the Nats new bullpen coach. Should have researched before I asked…sorry!
#3 by Brian Oliver - November 20th, 2008 at 13:37
I thought the name Trent Jewett rang a bell more than the typical minor league hiring would. Jewett was a contender for manager of the Pirates last year (it went to John Russell). It appears he was dismissed by the Pirates at the end of the season. No reason publicly released.
He seems way overqualified for Potomac.
#4 by Berndaddy - November 20th, 2008 at 14:17
Brian could this be a way to keep a nice option for a future manager within the system? Do you think Kasten/Bowden are thinking in those terms for Jewett or was he the best available…?
#5 by Pilchard - November 20th, 2008 at 15:44
Jerry Browne is a native of the Virgin Islands. Not many MLBers from there: former O Calvin Pickering.
That sounds like a very strong staff for Potomac.
#6 by JayB - November 20th, 2008 at 19:20
Brian,
Do you see him as the manager or bench coach in Washington depending on how Acta’s team performs out of Spring Training? I know Boz has said many times that Acta is about the second best prospect this team has, but they do not nave time to develop him further in my view….either he is ready to win in April and May or he is toast. Yes, that means someone else may benefit in a few years when he is more ready to manage a MLB team but so be it. Acta must come out of the gate managing to win…..hit and run, bunt a guy over, sit players who are cold….no more teaching and preaching please……
#7 by pahou - November 20th, 2008 at 20:00
Trent Jewett spent 1990 with the Harrisburg Senators.
#8 by Jane - November 21st, 2008 at 06:40
Congratulations to Trent Jewett on being selected by the Washington Nationals as manager for the Potomac Nationals!
#9 by Sec 204 Rw K Seat 11 - November 21st, 2008 at 09:58
Have to disagree with JaybB. Acta is the best Manager for THIS team and for the team to be the next two seasons. Then, we’ll see.
#10 by mjames - November 21st, 2008 at 10:15
It makes no difference who manages this loser. You could have an entire staff of Joe Torrey’s managing and coaching and they are still 63-99 for next year.
#11 by Berndaddy - November 21st, 2008 at 10:46
Negative, negative, negative…plleeaassee people give it a rest. Why are you even here if your not thinking there’s a chance the big team can win. Would I have liked Acta to have been more agressive last year, yea, but last year we had kids SO HE HAD TO TEACH THEM, eh! He was working with what he had. People here are fixated on win win win with a heavy instant gratification complex. Grow up! Slam me. I know it’s coming. It’ll be typical, too.
Good luck Brian I love your site. One day when were winning ( and we will win)I’ll remember this site and think of the hope it brought me.
#12 by JayB - November 21st, 2008 at 12:28
Nats do have a chance to win. It all depends on the decisions they make. That is why I am here. I want them to make the best decisions. Not signing Crow, Not being aggressive in International FA market are not good signs. Hiring new coaches and two that could step in and be Manager…..Good Signs…….Time will tell but to say people should be more patient after the past 2 seasons is a bit too much. Progress at the MLB level needs to be made….they have been going backwards at the DC level for sometime now.
#13 by Basil - November 21st, 2008 at 12:48
I thought the name Trent Jewett rang a bell more than the typical minor league hiring would. Jewett was a contender for manager of the Pirates last year (it went to John Russell).
Even closer to home, Jewett (as well as John Russell) was a very early contender for the managerial job with the big-league Nationals after the ‘06 season, but was quickly removed from consideration.
http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061106&content_id=1735410&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was
#14 by Old Senators Fan - November 21st, 2008 at 21:13
Berndaddy: I’m with you! I choose to have a positive outlook about the team. The Washington Senators were my team back in the 60’s. I was at the very last game in 1971 when they left town and went to Texas. I even gave up following baseball for about 7 years. I’ve waited a very long time for baseball to come back to D.C. and I’m willing to wait a few more years for the team to actually be good. Go Nats!!!
#15 by dian - November 24th, 2008 at 12:22
i actually posted this in the wrong spot. Opps! I meant to say I thought the managing job for Potomac would have gone to Browne. Not the hagerstown job. Any thoughts???