Updated 6:00 pm
The Brooklyn Cyclones announced the coaching staff for the 2014 season.
Tom Gamboa, will indeed be the teams next manager as reported today by ESPN New York, along with Tom Signore as the pitching coach and Benny Distefano, as the hitting coach. Distefano was the teams hitting coach for the 2010 season.
“We look forward to welcoming the new coaching staff to Brooklyn for the 2014 season,” shared Cyclones Vice President Steve Cohen on the team press release. “They all have a track record of success, and we are hopeful that they will help guide our team back to the playoffs for the 2014 season.”
The Cyclones website added the coaches bios:
Gamboa, 66, enters his first season with the Mets organization and his 41st year in pro baseball. The Rancho Mirage, CA native last managed in 2011 with Inland Empire (A) of the California League, but resigned halfway through the season in order to attend to a family matter. Gamboa has served on the Major League coaching staffs of the Chicago Cubs (1998-99), and Kansas City Royals (2001-03). The father of five has also had a successful managerial career in the minor leagues, including division titles most recently in Arkansas (AA) in 2005, and Albuquerque (AAA) in 2000.
Signore, 52, also joins the Mets organization for the first time in 2014 after spending the previous three seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays as the pitching coach with New Hampshire (AA) of the Eastern League. The Connecticut native was a part of the Blue Jays organization since 2005 and has also served as a pitching coach in the NYPL on two occasions: Auburn (2005) and Vermont (1997). Signora graduated from Quinnipiac College in 1985, and was a teammate of Mets Special Assistant to the General Manager, J.P. Ricciardi, during his lone season as a professional pitcher with Helena (R) in 1985.
Distefano, 52, returns to the Cyclones as the hitting coach after serving in the same role in Brooklyn for the 2010 season. During his lone season on Coney Island, the Cyclones led the New York-Penn League in hitting, home runs and ranked second in runs scored. The Brooklyn, NY native was a member of the Savannah (A) coaching staff in 2011 and St. Lucie for 2012 and 2013. The Lafayette High School graduate played professionally for 12 years, including parts of five seasons in the major leagues with Pittsburgh and Houston.
Original Post 4:25 pm
Adam Rubin writes that a team insider told ESPNNewYork.com that Tom Gamboa is expected to manage the Brooklyn Cyclones for the 2014 season.
Rubin adds that the Mets made the late hire after incumbent Rich Donnelly left the organization in December to manage the Seattle Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate.
Gamboa, has managed at the minor league level for 11 seasons with the Brewers, Dodgers and Angels organizations with a 566-486 record.
(Photo: BrooklynCyclones.com)
