Bustabad to return as Loons’ skipper in ‘09
November 4, 2008 at 11:44 amJuan Bustabad, whose aggressive managerial style earned the nickname “Busty Ball” last season, will return for a second season as the manager of the Great Lakes Loons in 2009.
He will be joined by returning pitching coach Danny Darwin and first-year hitting coach Michael Boughton.
Bustabad has compiled a career .546 winning percentage (537-446 record) and seven division titles in 12 seasons as a minor league manager with the Dodgers and Marlins. Last season, he led the Loons to a 54-85 overall record, his first losing season as a Dodgers minor league manager and the first season in which he did not finish within two games of .500.
This will be the third season in the Midwest League for the 47-year old, who skippered Kane County, then a Marlins’ affiliate, in 1998.
Darwin, a 21-year Major League veteran, returns for his second season as the Loons’ pitching coach and his fourth overall season as a pitching coach in the Dodgers’ organization. Under Darwin’s tutelage, the Loons saw pitchers Steven Johnson and Victor Garate receive promotions mid-season to the Dodgers’ High-A affiliate Inland Empire 66ers. Johnson was also named the starting pitcher for the 2008 Midwest League All-Star game at Dow Diamond.
Boughton will make the jump to Great Lakes after serving as the hitting coach with short-season Ogden in 2008. Prior to joining the Dodgers’ organization, the 33-year old was a baseball instructor in the Dallas area from 2000-07. He also served as an assistant coach at Northwood University (TX) from 2000-01. Boughton was drafted as an infielder by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 12th round of the 1996 draft and spent three seasons in minor league baseball with the Diamondbacks and Rangers, advancing as high as High-A. He played for South Bend in the Midwest League in 1997.
The Loons athletic training staff will also be joined by newcomer Zachary Hoffman.
Great Lakes opens its 2009 season in Dayton against the Dragons April 9. The Loons’ first home game at Dow Diamond will take place April 13 against the West Michigan Whitecaps, affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.
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Interesting that they decided to keep him on for a second season but not Parrish after the debut.