John Russell (russejo02)
From BR Bullpen
John William Russell
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 200 lb.
- School University of Oklahoma
- Debut June 22, 1984
- Final Game October 2, 1993
- Born January 5, 1961 in Oklahoma City, OK USA
[edit] Biographical Information
John Russell made his major league managerial debut with the 2008 Pittsburgh Pirates, replacing Jim Tracy at the helm.
Russell was the All-Star DH in the 1981 Intercontinental Cup, as the US stunned Cuba, 6-5, in the Gold Medal game. It was the only time that the Cuban national team lost a major world event in the 1980s.
Russell played professionally from 1982 through 1994. He hit 27 home runs for the 1983 Portland Beavers and 19 for the same team in 1984, for his two best years offensively.
As a player, Russell's best years were with the Philadelphia Phillies: his main teammates were Mike Schmidt, Von Hayes, Juan Samuel and Glenn Wilson. On June 11, 1990, he caught a no-hitter from Nolan Ryan while playing for the Texas Rangers.
Russell was the third base coach and catching instructor for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2003 through 2005. He was let go after 2005, when Lloyd McClendon was fired as manager. Russell then became a minor league manager once more before returning to Pittsburgh in 2008 as the team's manager.
| Preceded by Jim Tracy | Pittsburgh Pirates Manager 2008- | Succeeded by n/a |
[edit] Year-by-Year Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Elizabethton Twins | Appalachian League | 33-31 | 3rd | Minnesota Twins | |
| 1996 | Fort Myers Miracle | Florida State League | 79-58 | 2nd | Minnesota Twins | |
| 1997 | Fort Myers Miracle | Florida State League | 81-58 | 3rd | Minnesota Twins | |
| 1998 | New Britain Rock Cats | Eastern League | 83-59 | 1st | Minnesota Twins | Lost League Finals |
| 1999 | New Britain Rock Cats | Eastern League | 59-82 | 11th | Minnesota Twins | |
| 2000 | New Britain Rock Cats | Eastern League | 51-91 | 11th | Minnesota Twins | |
| 2001 | Edmonton Trappers | Pacific Coast League | 60-83 | 16th | Minnesota Twins | |
| 2002 | Edmonton Trappers | Pacific Coast League | 81-59 | 2nd | Minnesota Twins | League Champs |
| 2006 | Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons | International League | 84-58 | 1st | Philadelphia Phillies | Lost in 1st round |
| 2007 | Ottawa Lynx | International League | 55-88 | 14th | Philadelphia Phillies | |
| 2008 | Pittsburgh Pirates | National League | 67-95 | 6th | Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| 2009 | Pittsburgh Pirates | National League | Pittsburgh Pirates |
