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Amid the shocking news of former manager Felix Avita's retirement as the face of the dugout, Rafael Serjern will now lead a young team hoping to improve on their surprising 1987 season. Serjern joined the staff last season as bench coach after leaving the Wilmington Wildcats organization where he made the playoffs four times in six seasons and won a BLB Championship in 1982.
"It's a great opportunity to manage again," said Serjern, 57. "This team reminds me a lot of that '82 team in Wilmington. We had a lot of young guys just learning the league, and they all came together to form a solid nucleus."
While fans in Denver may be excited over the prospects of this team resembling a championship team, GM Carlos Hernandez wants to remind the faithful that it's much too early to predict that sort of success.
"We're just happy to see our young guys developing as a unit," said Hernandez. "A championship is always our goal, but building a solid team that can win the division is the first step."
A familiar face since 1982 when he led the team to a 90-72 record, Avita led the Bulls to an 86-76 record last season - a 13 game increase over the previous year. But, despite the promise of improved youth and success on the field, Avita decided that it was time to walk away from the game he played since he was a 7-year-old kid in Cuba that quickly became a rising national star before an arm injury cut short his playing career at 17.
"Baseball has given me a lot of love," Avita said amongst tears during his press conference. "I am thankful for everything it has given me, my family, and my children. I cannot think of a better way to say good bye."
Hernandez said that the organization is looking for ways to honor Avita's time with the team.
"Definitely, most definitely," he said. "He was a huge part of this organization and we'll find a way to honor his time here."
The Denver Bulls learned earlier this month that two of their players were honored with Glove Wizards after their brilliant defensive seasons. SS Jose Sanchez and 2B Kifel Al-Sadat formed a solid double play combo that committed only 23 errors and helped turn nearly 70 double plays together in just over 100 games as a unit.
For 34 year-old All-Star Sanchez, it is his 5th Glove Wizard Award and second in a row. Despite only playing in 112 games, Sanchez displayed his talented foot work and work ethic while holding a .983 fielding percentage along with 390 assists. His 5.33 Range Factor led all Domestic League Shortstops.
Kifel Al-Sadat enjoyed a strong rookie season both at the plate and on the field. Mostly heralded for his smooth stroke and disciplined approach in the batter's box, Al-Sadat also possessed the fielding maturity of a veteran. His range has been recognized in both the BLB level and the minor leagues winning Glove Wizard awards in both of his full seasons in the minors (1985 A, 1986 AAA). He led all BLB 2B in total chances, assists and range factor while committing 13 errors for an honest .985 fielding percentage.
The duo is expected to stick together till at least 1989 when Sanchez's contract expires with the team.
Continuing last season's experiment which yielded great results and a no-hitter, Denver will try their hand at converting two successful minor league middle relievers into starters in 1988.
Last season, Denver inserted Luca Marciano into AAA with zero career minor league starts in his resume. Instead a two-year reliever with 28 career minor league saves and a total of 59 IP, Marciano entered camp with renewed arm strength and endurance. The experiment created a 17-10 season with a 2.86 ERA and a no-hitter. This season, Marciano finds himself in the Top 100 Prospect List for a second straight season and the hope that he'll earn a promotion to the big leagues by August.
Part II of the experiment will feature hard throwing left-hander Don McDonald (21 AA saves, 11.77 K/9 in 1987) in AAA for the first time and promising right-hander Norm Coleman (28 saves combined, 2.60 ERA splitting A/AA in 1987) getting his shot in his second season of AA ball.
Year: 1988
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"It's a great opportunity to manage again," said Serjern, 57. "This team reminds me a lot of that '82 team in Wilmington. We had a lot of young guys just learning the league, and they all came together to form a solid nucleus."
While fans in Denver may be excited over the prospects of this team resembling a championship team, GM Carlos Hernandez wants to remind the faithful that it's much too early to predict that sort of success.
"We're just happy to see our young guys developing as a unit," said Hernandez. "A championship is always our goal, but building a solid team that can win the division is the first step."
A familiar face since 1982 when he led the team to a 90-72 record, Avita led the Bulls to an 86-76 record last season - a 13 game increase over the previous year. But, despite the promise of improved youth and success on the field, Avita decided that it was time to walk away from the game he played since he was a 7-year-old kid in Cuba that quickly became a rising national star before an arm injury cut short his playing career at 17.
"Baseball has given me a lot of love," Avita said amongst tears during his press conference. "I am thankful for everything it has given me, my family, and my children. I cannot think of a better way to say good bye."
Hernandez said that the organization is looking for ways to honor Avita's time with the team.
"Definitely, most definitely," he said. "He was a huge part of this organization and we'll find a way to honor his time here."
The Denver Bulls learned earlier this month that two of their players were honored with Glove Wizards after their brilliant defensive seasons. SS Jose Sanchez and 2B Kifel Al-Sadat formed a solid double play combo that committed only 23 errors and helped turn nearly 70 double plays together in just over 100 games as a unit.
For 34 year-old All-Star Sanchez, it is his 5th Glove Wizard Award and second in a row. Despite only playing in 112 games, Sanchez displayed his talented foot work and work ethic while holding a .983 fielding percentage along with 390 assists. His 5.33 Range Factor led all Domestic League Shortstops.
Kifel Al-Sadat enjoyed a strong rookie season both at the plate and on the field. Mostly heralded for his smooth stroke and disciplined approach in the batter's box, Al-Sadat also possessed the fielding maturity of a veteran. His range has been recognized in both the BLB level and the minor leagues winning Glove Wizard awards in both of his full seasons in the minors (1985 A, 1986 AAA). He led all BLB 2B in total chances, assists and range factor while committing 13 errors for an honest .985 fielding percentage.
The duo is expected to stick together till at least 1989 when Sanchez's contract expires with the team.
Continuing last season's experiment which yielded great results and a no-hitter, Denver will try their hand at converting two successful minor league middle relievers into starters in 1988.
Last season, Denver inserted Luca Marciano into AAA with zero career minor league starts in his resume. Instead a two-year reliever with 28 career minor league saves and a total of 59 IP, Marciano entered camp with renewed arm strength and endurance. The experiment created a 17-10 season with a 2.86 ERA and a no-hitter. This season, Marciano finds himself in the Top 100 Prospect List for a second straight season and the hope that he'll earn a promotion to the big leagues by August.
Part II of the experiment will feature hard throwing left-hander Don McDonald (21 AA saves, 11.77 K/9 in 1987) in AAA for the first time and promising right-hander Norm Coleman (28 saves combined, 2.60 ERA splitting A/AA in 1987) getting his shot in his second season of AA ball.
Year: 1988
LINK
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