Indians hire Micucci as manager
For the second time this off-season, the Spokane Indians announced the hiring of a new manager.
This one sounds like he’ll make it to the season opener.
Mike Micucci, formerly a coach in the Chicago Cubs organization, will manage the defending Northwest League champions in the 2006 season, which begins June 19.
It’s his first managerial job after a six-year minor league playing career with the Cubs and five years as a hitting coach with two Class A teams, Lansing (Mich.), 2001-04, and Daytona (Fla.), last season.
“It’s the opportunity that you hope for when you first get into it,” Micucci said from his home in Manahawkin, N.J. “To get an opportunity in such a good situation in Spokane, it’s like a dream come true. It’s a much bigger market than the level. It’s a Triple-A field and the people to work with are unbelievable.”
Although Micucci has only been a hitting coach in the minors, he’s had some managerial experience.
His first year in Lansing, he was the team’s interim manager, and as the hitting coach in Daytona last year, handled many of the in-game decisions.
“As far as managing the game, I feel comfortable with that,” Micucci said. “The part that will be new will be dealing with the media, the front office, discipline and a lot of things as far as being captain of the ship.”
Spokane finished 37-39 in the Northwest League under former San Diego Padres manager Greg Riddoch, but won the East Division and the NWL Championship.
On Nov. 3, the Indians hired Arnie Beyeler to manage the team, but 12 days later, Beyeler took a job as hitting coach for the Padres’ Double-A affiliate in Mobile (Ala.).
Micucci’s staff will remain the same as was initially hired under Beyeler, with Jim Nettles as the hitting coach and Aris Tirado as pitching coach.
This will be Micucci’s first short-season assignment in the minor leagues since his first season as a player in 1994.
“I’m going to really rely on my coaching staff. Obviously, it’s a position with a lot of young players,” Micucci said.
“A lot of the on-the-field stuff is teaching what the organization wants, getting guys on the bus and headed down the road.”
Micucci knows the importance of advancing players along and doing what the organization wants, but he also knows they’re playing to win while they’re in Spokane.
The one thing he wants the Indians to do is compete every night.
“If we have a chance to win every game, we’re doing a hell of a job,” Micucci said. “We want the club coming in to play to know they have their hands full.”