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Manager Al Pedrique observes Jake Cave during the 2016 Triple-A Championship Game.

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Minor League Baseball team has played in the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area of Pennsylvania since being established in 1989 as a Triple-A International League team. They were known as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons during their affiliation with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1989 to 2006 before becoming the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees in 2007 upon affiliating with the New York Yankees. They rebranded as the RailRiders in 2013 while maintaining their Yankees affiliation. With the restructuring of the minor leagues in 2021, they were placed in the Triple-A East, which became the International League in 2022.[1][2] The team has been led by 17 managers throughout its history. Managers are responsible for team strategy and leadership on and off the field, including determining the batting order, arranging defensive positioning, and making tactical decisions regarding pitching changes, pinch-hitting, pinch-running, and defensive replacements.[3] Shelley Duncan has been the RailRiders' manager since 2023.

Five managers have been selected as their league's Manager of the Year. Lee Elia (1992), Marc Bombard (2002), John Russell (2006), Dave Miley (2007 and 2012) and Al Pedrique (2016 and 2017) have won the International League Manager of the Year Award. Dave Miley has won 714 games over nine seasons (2007–2015), placing him first on the all-time wins list for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre managers. Having managed the team for 1286 games, he was also the longest-tenured manager in team history. The manager with the highest winning percentage over a full season or more is Al Pedrique (2016–2017), with .623 respectively. Conversely, the lowest winning percentage over a season or more is .437 by manager George Culver (1993).[4]

As of the completion of the 2024 season, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's managers have led the club for 4,999 regular-season games in which they have compiled a win–loss record of 2,665–2,334 (.533). In 16 postseason appearances, their teams have a record of 44–51 (.463) and have won two International League championships. Combining all 5,094 regular-season and postseason games, the RailRiders have an all-time record of 2,709–2,385 (.532).

History

[edit]

Phillies affiliation

[edit]
A man in a black and white baseball cap with an orange brim with a "Z" insignia on the front
Bill Dancy led the Red Barons from 1989 to 1991 and again in 2001 as an interim manager.

Playing in the International League as the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons were managed by Bill Dancy in their inaugural 1989 season.[5] Dancy had been part of the Philadelphia Phillies organization since 1979, managing several of their minor league affiliates across different levels. He began his managerial career with the Spartanburg Phillies (Class A) in 1979, followed by three seasons with the Peninsula Pilots (Class A) from 1980 to 1982.[5] In 1983, he moved up to Double-A, managing the Reading Phillies for two seasons through 1984.[5] Dancy was then promoted to Triple-A, where he managed the Portland Beavers from 1985 to 1986 and the Maine Phillies in 1987.[5] He returned to Double-A in 1988 for a second stint with Reading.[5]

A man wearing a baseball jersey with "TOLEDO" across the cheast and a cap with a "T" insignia
Lee Elia led the Red Barons to their first playoff appearance in 1992, falling to the Columbus Clippers in the ILCS.

Dancy was replaced in 1992 by Lee Elia, a veteran manager with eight seasons of minor league experience.[6] Under Elia's leadership, the Red Barons posted their first winning season, finishing 84–58 and claiming the International League's Eastern Division title. They advanced to the playoffs, defeating the Pawtucket Red Sox in four games before falling to the Columbus Clippers in a five-game championship series.[7] Following Elia's retirement, George Culver was hired as the Red Barons' new manager. Culver had previously managed the Philadelphia Phillies' minor league affiliates, leading Double-A Reading from 1986 to 1987 and Triple-A Maine in 1988. His tenure in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre lasted one season, as the team finished with a losing 62–80 record, missing the playoffs.[8]

A man in light baseball pants and a dark jersey throwing a baseball during batting practice
Ramón Avilés served as interim manager for the Red Barons in 1996 during Butch Hobson's absence.

After Mike Quade managed the Red Barons for two seasons (1994–1995),[9] the team hired Butch Hobson as his successor. In May 1996, Hobson was arrested for cocaine possession and placed on leave.[10] Ramón Avilés was named interim manager on May 6 and led the team for the remainder of the season.[11][12] Hobson was dismissed in August after compiling a 13–14 record with the team.[13] Avilés finished the season with a 57–58 record, as the Red Barons missed the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year.[14]

In 1997, the Red Barons hired Marc Bombard. Over the next four seasons, he managed the team to two consecutive IL championships, losing to the Indianapolis Indians in 2000 and the Louisville RiverBats in 2001.[n 1][17] However, prior to the IL championship, the season had some surprising events. On May 6, 2001, Bombard was promoted to the Philadelphia Phillies to serve as interim third base coach.[18] Red Barons hitting coach Jerry Martin served as interim manager for two days before being succeeded by Phillies field coordinator, and former Red Barons manager, Bill Dancy,[19][5] and roving hitting instructor Donnie Long.[20] Martin then came back as interim manager before Bombard returned to the team on July 14.[21][22] Although the Red Barons finished their 2002 campaign by getting swept in the International League semifinals against the Buffalo Bisons, the Phillies announced on October 17, 2002, that Bombard would continue to manage the Red Barons for the 2003 campaign.[23] Bombard continued to manage the Red Barons until 2004. However, on October 4, 2006, the Phillies fired Bombard along with two other staff members on the Phillies: third-base coach Dancy and bench coach Gary Varsho.[24] Even though the Red Barons hired two more managers, Gene Lamont and John Russell,[25][26] who would go on to win the IL Manager of the Year Award in his only season as the team's manager, it was clear that the team needed a new direction, especially after losing to Rochester in the Governor Cup semifinals in four games. Following the 2006 season, the Philadelphia Phillies ended their affiliation with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons after 17 years.[27]

Yankees affiliation

[edit]
A man in a white baseball uniform with dark pinstripes.
Al Pedrique managed the RailRiders from 2016 to 2017.

In 2007, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre became the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees.[28][29][30] After managing the Columbus Clippers, the Yankees' previous Triple-A affiliate, in 2006, Dave Miley was named the first manager of the newly rebranded Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.[31][32][33] Miley, the longest-tenured manager in franchise history, won the International League Manager of the Year Award in both 2007 and 2012.[34][35] During Miley's nine-season tenure, the team, which was renamed the RailRiders in 2012,[36][37] won six division titles and one International League championship, securing the title in 2008. Miley amassed 726 wins in 1,316 games, the most by any manager in team history. On September 28, 2015, eleven days after being swept in three games by Indianapolis in the Governor's Cup semifinals, Miley and the Yankees parted ways.[38] He finished his tenure one win shy of 1,900 career victories at the minor league level.

A man in a black baseball jersey with "SWB" written in white letters on the left breast pocket, a black coaches helmet with an "SWB" on the front, and white pants stands at third base lines.
Doug Davis managed the RailRiders from 2020 to 2022.

On January 6, 2016, Al Pedrique was hired as the RailRiders' new manager.[39] In his first season, the RailRiders matched a franchise-high 91 wins. This resulted in a Northern Division title as well as winning the International League Manager of the Year Award.[40] In the postseason, the RailRiders posted a 6–1 record en route to the Triple-A National Championship Game. They swept their rivals, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, in three games, defeated the Gwinnett Stripers in four games, and went on to win the championship by defeating the Pacific Coast League's El Paso Chihuahuas, 3–1, finishing the postseason with a 7–1 record.[41][42] In Pedrique's 2017 campaign, the RailRiders finished 86–55, winning another Northern Division title.[43] For their accomplishment, Pedrique once again took home Manager of the Year honors.[44] In the postseason, the RailRiders defeated Lehigh Valley in the Governor Cup semifinals.[45][46] However, they lost to the Durham Bulls in four games in the IL championship.[47] Pedrique won 188 wins in 300 games, the fourth most by any manager in team history.[48] He left the organization in the offseason uppn being hired by the Oakland Athletics as first base coach.[49]

The RailRiders concludeed the decade with two different managers: Bobby Mitchell (2018) and Jay Bell (2019).[50][51] They recorded 73–65 and 76–65 records, respectively, with Mitchell taking the RailRiders to the IL championship for the third consecutive season. However, they were defeated by Durham for the second consecutive season.[52]

In 2020, Doug Davis was initially hired to manage the team,[53][54] but the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic before it began.[55] In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the RailRiders were placed in the new Triple-A East but remanined affiliated with the New York Yankees.[1] Davis continued to serve as the RailRiders' manager until after the 2022 season. Before accepting an offer to become the Round Rock Express' manager, in 2023, Davis recorded 158 wins in 277 games managed in his two-year tenure, placing him sixth all-time in franchise wins.[56]

In 2023, Shelley Duncan was appointed as the manager of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.[57][58] Before the hiring, he was the manager of the Jackson Generals in 2018, posting a 75–64 record.[59] After leading the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate to a 89 win campaign, On January 24, 2025, the Yankees announced that Duncan would return as manager for 2025.[60] In two seasons, Duncan has recorded 162 wins in 297 games, placing him fifth on the all-time wins list for RailRiders managers.[4][59]

Managers

[edit]
No. Manager Season(s)
1 Bill Dancy 1989–1991
2 Lee Elia 1992
3 George Culver 1993
4 Mike Quade 1994–1995
5 Butch Hobson[n 2] 1996
6 Ramón Avilés[n 2] 1996
7 Marc Bombard[n 3] 1997–2001
8 Jerry Martin[n 3] 2001
— Bill Dancy[n 3] 2001
9 Don Long[n 3] 2001
— Jerry Martin[n 3] 2001
— Marc Bombard[n 3] 2001–2004
10 Gene Lamont 2005
11 John Russell 2006
12 Dave Miley 2007–2015
13 Al Pedrique 2016–2017
14 Bobby Mitchell 2018
15 Jay Bell 2019
16 Doug Davis 2020–2022
17 Shelley Duncan 2023–present

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The 2001 playoffs were cancelled in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Louisville, which had won the first game of the series before its cancellation, was declared the winner.[15][16]
  2. ^ a b Ramón Avilés served as interim manager from May 6 through the end of the season after Butch Hobson took a leave of absence from the team.[61][62]
  3. ^ a b c d e f Marc Bombard was promoted to the Philadelphia Phillies to serve as interim third base coach on May 6.[18] Red Barons hitting coach Jerry Martin served as interim manager for two days before being succeeded by Phillies field coordinator Bill Dancy and roving hitting instructor Donnie Long. Martin then came back as interim manager before Bombard returned to the team on July 14.[21][22]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  3. ^ "What is a Manager?". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on August 31, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Marco, Adam, ed. (March 2025). "2025 Official Media Guide Record Book" (PDF). Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 21, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Bill Dancy Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on March 31, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  6. ^ "Lee Elia Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on March 31, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  7. ^ Rose, Van (April 25, 2004). "Look Back: Red Barons' Infamous Game 5 Cup Full of Heartbreak". Times Leader. Archived from the original on March 31, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  8. ^ "George Culver Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  9. ^ "Mike Quade Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  10. ^ Baker, Frank. "Hobson avoids jail time on cocaine possession charge". North Adams Transcript. AP. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  11. ^ Holeva, Lee (May 7, 1996). "Aviles Set to Pinch Hit". The Scranton Times. Scranton. p. 17. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  12. ^ Holeva, Lee (September 4, 1996). "Aviles' Return? Decision Months Away". The Scranton Times. Scranton. p. B4. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  13. ^ "Butch Hobson Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  14. ^ "Ramón Avilés Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  15. ^ "Playoffs Decision Aside, Red Barons' Season, Fans The Stuff Of Legends". Times Leader. October 16, 2001. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  16. ^ Collins, Donnie (March 12, 2020). "MILB delays season's start, RailRiders affected". Citizens Voice. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  17. ^ "Marc Bombard Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  18. ^ a b Bennett, Steve (May 7, 2001). "Clippers Complete Sweep". The Times-Tribune. Scranton. p. B4 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Jerry Martin Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  20. ^ "Don Long Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  21. ^ a b "Martin Takes Over". The Tribune. Scranton. June 1, 2001. p. B4 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ a b Scandura, Mike (June 14, 2001). "Bombard to Return as Barons Manager". The Times-Leader. Wilkes-Barre. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ Rose, Van (October 17, 2002). "Phils Make It Official: Bombard To Manage Red Barons A 7th Year The Longtime Skipper Will Be Allowed To Leave If He Receives A Major League Coaching Offer". Times Leader. Archived from the original on April 2, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  24. ^ Reiter, Megan (October 4, 2006). "Bombard, Dancy, fired by Phillies". The Scranton Times. Scranton. p. B2. Archived from the original on April 2, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  25. ^ "Gene Lamont Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  26. ^ "John Russell Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  27. ^ "Red Barons guaranteed major league affiliate". Minor League Baseball. January 23, 2006. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  28. ^ Hill, Benjamin (September 22, 2006). "Yanks to move Triple-A club from Columbus to Scranton". The Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  29. ^ Hill, Benjamin (September 8, 2023). "Remembering the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  30. ^ "New York Yankees Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on January 15, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  31. ^ "Dave Miley Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  32. ^ "Red Barons no more: The Yankees are coming to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre". Pocono Record. December 13, 2006. Archived from the original on April 2, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  33. ^ "It's now the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees!!". Minor League Baseball. December 12, 2006. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  34. ^ "Dave Miley Named Top Manager in the International League". Minor League Baseball. Minor League Baseball. August 28, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  35. ^ "SWB's Dave Miley is Baseball America Manager of the Year". BronxPinStripes. November 29, 2012. Archived from the original on April 2, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  36. ^ Monagan, Matt (November 15, 2012). "It's official: Yankees' Triple-A team will now be called the RailRiders". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 2, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  37. ^ "Yankees' Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Farm Team Renamed 'RailRiders'". CBS New York. November 15, 2012. Archived from the original on April 2, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  38. ^ "Miley will not return to manage RailRiders". Times Leader. September 28, 2015. Archived from the original on April 2, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  39. ^ "Pedrique Headlines SWB Field Staff Changes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders News". Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  40. ^ "SWB RailRiders Tyler Wade and Al Pedrique take home International League postseason awards". Times Leader. August 30, 2017. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  41. ^ Rosenbaum, Mike (September 16, 2016). "RailRiders topple Gwinnett to claim Governors' Cup". Major League Baseball. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  42. ^ Boor, William (September 20, 2016). "Montgomery lifts RailRiders to first Triple-A National Championship". Major League Baseball. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  43. ^ "Long Ball Carries RailRiders to IL North Title". Minor League Baseball. August 28, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  44. ^ "Yankees Ben Gamel Named International League Player of the Year". Fox Sports. September 10, 2017. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  45. ^ Heneghan, Kelsie (September 10, 2017). "RailRiders punch return ticket to IL Finals". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  46. ^ "RailRiders clinch IL semifinals". Minor League Baseball. September 10, 2017. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  47. ^ Osborne, Andrea (September 18, 2017). "Bulls Win Governors' Cup Title with 6-4 Win". Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  48. ^ "Al Pedrique Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  49. ^ Lee, Jane (December 4, 2017). "Athletics add Al Pedrique to coaching staff". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  50. ^ "Bobby Mitchell Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  51. ^ "Jay Bell Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  52. ^ "Durham repeats in Governors' Cup finals". Minor League Baseball. Major League Baseball. September 15, 2018. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  53. ^ Miller, Randy (January 27, 2020). "Yankees hire new Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager for 4th time in 5 years". Advance Publications, Inc. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  54. ^ "The Yankees minor league coaching staffs are set". PinstripeAlley. Minor League Baseball. January 2, 2020. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  55. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  56. ^ "Doug Davis Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on March 31, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  57. ^ "Shelly Duncan is the new coach of the RailRiders after playing for the Yankees from 2007–2009". NewJersey. February 7, 2023. Archived from the original on April 2, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  58. ^ "Yankees hire folk hero slugger for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager job". Medium. January 20, 2023. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  59. ^ a b "Shelley Duncan Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 2, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  60. ^ "Duncan returning for third season as RailRiders manager". Hazleton Standard Speaker. January 24, 2025. Archived from the original on April 2, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  61. ^ Holeva, Larry (May 7, 1996). "Aviles Set to Pinch Hit". The Times Tribune. Scranton. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  62. ^ Holeva, Larry (September 4, 1996). "Aviles' Return? Decision Months Away". The Tribune. Scranton. p. B4 – via Newspapers.com.
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