When Gerson Moreno struck out Tyler Williams in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 7-6 Stormers victory on July 17, history was made.
The strikeout, with the tying run at third, sealed the 500th managerial win for skipper Ross Peeples, only the ninth manager to win that many in Atlantic League history.
Peeples was chased down with team members carrying an ice bucket following the win.
“I am very blessed to be in this situation,” said Peeples. “I have to thank My Lord and Savior for blessing me with this opportunity to be around some great people and to be part of a great organization. Mike (Reynolds) and Bob (Zuckerman) have been very good to me. I also have to thank my wife and kids with putting up with me for eight seasons and for the support they give me each and every day.”
Peeples’ story in synonymous with the history of the franchise. The now 45-year-old skipper arrived in the Red Rose City in 2005 as part of Tommy Herr’s original starting rotation in the inaugural season. Over 10 years, he appeared in 374 games, which stood as a league record for nearly a decade. He won 32 and pitched in just about every role imaginable. His tenure on the Lancaster pitching staff lasted through both of Herr’s stints as Lancaster manager as well as those of Frank Klebe, Rick Wise, Von Hayes and Butch Hobson.
He retired as a player following the Stormers’ second championship in 2014 and was promptly named to Hobson’s staff as a bench coach. After two years in that capacity, he was chosen to replace Hobson for the 2017 campaign.
In his first season, Peeples was named Atlantic League Manager of the Year, as he piloted the club to a share of the league’s best full season record though they did not advance to the post-season.
Since then, he has taken four clubs to the playoffs and won back-to-back ALPB titles in 2022 and 2023. He currently has the 2025 team in first place in the second half of the season as the Stormers look for their fourth straight second half North title.
“We are fortunate to have had Ross at the helm of the Stormers long enough to achieve 500 wins,” said Stormers president Mike Reynolds. “Ross has done a terrific job leading this club. In addition to the 500 wins and two championships, he builds a roster full of respectful and hardworking men. He has been a great ambassador for the Stormers and the Atlantic League. I’m sure we will see plenty more wins in his managing career.”