Tale of the Sharpie: Southern League Coaching Staffs

     All of the Southern League teams have announced their 2012 Player Development Staffs with the exception of the Wahoo's. We are still waiting to know the names of the hitting coach and pitching coaching. However, its never to early to start preparing for autographing at Wahoo Park ( that is what I call it ). Chances are if you have a box of baseball cards from early 1990's, you have cards of several coaches that will be visiting Pensacola several times this season. You can even go search your late 80's boxes. I recently purchased two 1987 Topps vending boxes with the hope of getting some of the cards signed TTM and in-person this year.
     A typical minor league coaching staff will  feature a manager, a pitching coach, and a hitting coach. All three during the season will assume the roles of the first and third base coach and bullpen coach. Also, teams have Coordinators who might visit each of the affiliates during the season to give additional instruction on the side and to make sure that the overall development philosophy of the organization is being implemented daily. The main goal of the Minor League Staff regardless of level, is to develop players for the majors. How are these staffs selected ?  Some teams choose players that had a lengthy coaching career while other teams implement the "Those Who Can't Do, Teach" mentality. Overall,  the majority of the coaches are hoping for a coaching stint in the big leagues. I mainly get excited about a coaching staff because it features players that I remember watching on TBS & WGN from my youth.

 I listed out the 2012 Minor League Coaching Staffs for easy reference:

Chattanooga Lookouts- Manager: Carlos Subero PC:Chuck Crim HC: Franklin Stubbs
Pensacola Blue Wahoo's- Manager: Jim Riggleman, PC: Tom Brown,  HC-Tony Jaramillo
Montgomery Biscuits: Manager Billy Gardner Jr. PC: R.C. Lichtenstein HC: Ozzie Timmons

Birmingham Barons- Manager: Bobby Magallanes, PC: Bobby Thigpen HC: Brandon Moore
Mobile Baybears-  Manager: Turner Ward, PC: Dan Carlson HC: Jay Bell
Jackson Generals-  Manager: Jim Pankovits, PC: Lance Painter HC: Cory Snyder
Jacksonville Suns- Manager: Andy Barkett, PC: John Duffy HC: Kevin Randel
Tennessee Smokies- Manager: Buddy Bailey, PC: Jeff Fassero HC: Mariano Duncan
Huntsville Stars- Manager: Darnell Coles, PC-John Curtis HC: Dwayne Hosey
Mississippi Braves- Manager: Aaron Holbert, PC- Mike Alvarez HC: Garey Ingram

I seen several of these coaches in the past but I am very excited about having the opportunity to get Cory Snyder to sign my Starting Lineup figurine.