Around the League

Bluefish Reel In Coaching Staff for 2017

Luis Rodriguez returns as manager; Rich “El Guapo” Garces named Pitching Coach


(Bridgeport, Conn., Dec. 14, 2016) – The Bridgeport Bluefish today announced that Luis Rodriguez will return as Manager in 2017. The team has also appointed Rich Garces as Pitching Coach.

Rodriguez returns for his tenth season with the Bluefish, as he spent his first eight years as a player. After transitioning into a player/coach role in 2012, he made his managerial debut during the 2016 season. This will also be his 12th season in the Atlantic League and 25th of professional baseball. He is currently coaching for La Guaira of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League under Manager Ozzie Guillen, who guest-managed for the Bluefish on Friday, August 19, 2016 against the Somerset Patriots.

“We’re proud to announce the return of Luis as our skipper for our 20th anniversary season,” said Bluefish General Manager Jamie Toole. “He has been an integral part of the organization for a decade now, and made some great improvements this past season as Manager. We can’t wait to see what 2017 holds for Luis and the rest of the club.”

At the beginning of the 2013 season, the 42-year-old participated in the World Baseball Classic as part of the coaching staff for Team Venezuela. Along with manager Luis Sojo, he helped coach the likes of Miguel Cabrera, Pablo Sandoval, and Elvis Andrus.

“I’m honored to have been asked to come back as Manager of the Bluefish this season,” said Luis Rodriguez. “I believe my extensive time with the team has helped me grow and learn about the league and allow me to understand what it takes to be a great Manager. This year we are going to come back stronger and fight even harder to win that championship ring.”

Known as “The Machete” for his penchant for cutting down runners on the basepaths with a cannon of an arm, Rodriguez has played for the Long Island Ducks and the Nashua Pride, then of the Atlantic League, before coming to Bridgeport in 2008. Although he is primarily a catcher, the Venezuelan native has played every position and has a .985 career fielding percentage.

The veteran backstop brings extensive professional experience to Bridgeport, including eight stints at the Triple-A level with the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Cardinals and Tigers organizations. Over his minor league career, Luis has appeared in 1,720 games, recording a .253 batting average with 106 home runs and 733 RBI. He was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent at the age of 17 by the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 1, 1991.

Garces joins the Bluefish staff during his 28th year of professional baseball. Since 2008, he has been coaching in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (VPBL) and Mexican Baseball League (MBL). He served as the Pitching Coach for the Zulia Eagles (VPBL) from 2008 to 2012, Pitching Coach for the Monclova Steelers (MBL) in 2013, and Bullpen Coach for the Caracas Lions (VPBL) from 2015 to 2016. He is currently serving as Pitching Coach for Caracas. This will be his third season in the Atlantic League, having played for the Nashua Pride alongside Bluefish Manager Luis Rodriguez in 2007 and 2008.

“We’re thrilled to have El Guapo join us this season,” said Paul Herrmann, Bluefish Assistant General Manager & Director of Baseball Operations. “He is a veteran of the game and we believe his coaching experience in Venezuela and Mexico will translate perfectly into his role here in Bridgeport.”

The 45-year-old began his playing career in 1988 after being signed by the Minnesota Twins as an undrafted free agent. He spent his first seven seasons with the Twins organization, making his Major League debut in 1990. He has also appeared with the Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins, and Boston Red Sox, which he called home for seven consecutive seasons from 1996 to 2002. Rich, commonly referred to as "El Guapo," made 287 big league appearances. He owns a 23-10 record with a 3.74 ERA and 296 strikeouts in 341.1 innings pitched.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to return to the Atlantic League and continue my coaching career alongside my friend Luis,” said Rich Garces. “We are looking forward to a great season and I am excited to work with the talented pitchers on this team.”

Across his 19-year playing career, Rich has made 644 career minor league appearances. He owns 42 victories with a 3.64 ERA and 915 strikeouts in 980.0 innings.

About the Bridgeport Bluefish

The Bridgeport Bluefish are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. For further information, call 203-210-BLUE (2583) or visit BridgeportBluefish.com.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 36 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.

For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.


###



Search Archive »




Browse by Year »

2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015

Browse by Month »

March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015