Texas Rangers announce 2013 Crawdads Field Staff
Ragsdale, 30, begins his fifth season as a member of the Texas organization and first as the field manager of the Crawdads. The Jonesboro, Arkansas native (right) joined the Rangers system as a player in the 2008 season and appeared in 17 games with the Crawdads in 2009, largely as a relief pitcher. The 2011 season marked Ragsdale's first return to Hickory, when he served as an infield coach under former Field Manager Bill Richardson and helped lead the 'Dads to their second-consecutive postseason berth. In 2012, Ragsdale had his first stint as a professional field manager, guiding the Arizona League Rangers (Rookie) to the AZL Championship, the first league championship won by a Rangers affiliate since 2008. Originally selected by the New York Mets in the 2nd round of the 2001 draft, Ragsdale was an infielder in the Mets system for seven seasons prior to joining the Rangers.
O'Malley, 32, embarks on his fifth season with the Rangers and first full campaign as the pitching coach in Hickory. The native of Springfield, Illinois spent a portion of the 2009 season as an assistant pitching coach with the Crawdads, before joining the AZL Rangers (Rookie) coaching staff in 2010. O'Malley spent the 2012 campaign as the pitching coach for the Spokane Indians (Short-A). Prior to joining the Texas organization, he pitched for six seasons in the Chicago Cubs farm system, before wrapping up his playing career in the Chicago White Sox system in 2008.
Mashore, 40, begins his first season as the hitting coach in Hickory and his second campaign with Texas. The Concord, California native helped Ragsdale lead the AZL Rangers (Rookie) to the league championship in 2012, serving as the team's assistant coach. Previously, Mashore spent 11 seasons as a coach in the Toronto Blue Jays system after concluding an 11-year playing career in the Detroit Tigers, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Colorado Rockies organizations. He is the son of former Major Leaguer Clyde Mashore and brother of Damon Mashore, a minor league coordinator with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Miranda, 24, rejoins the Crawdads for his second season as the infield coach in Hickory and third with the Rangers. The San Juan, Puerto Rico native spent the 2012 season in a similar role with the Crawdads after coaching as an infield instructor with the AZL Rangers (Rookie) during the spring of 2011. Before coaching within the Rangers organization, Miranda concluded a stellar playing career at Northwood University where he also served as a student assistant.
Newburn, 31, enters his third season with the Crawdads and eighth overall with Texas. Prior to joining the 'Dads, Newburn spent the 2009 campaign as the athletic trainer for the Bakersfield Blaze, the Rangers former High-A affiliate, and served in the same capacity with the Clinton Lumberkings (formerly Texas's Low-A affiliate) from 2008-09 and Spokane from 2006-07. He graduated from the University of Tulsa with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Athletic Training and also holds a Master's of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Nevada - Las Vegas.
Lamont, 28, starts his first season as the Crawdads strength and conditioning coach after serving in the same role for the AZL Rangers (Rookie) in 2012. Before becoming a strength and conditioning coach, the native of St. Augustine, Florida played in the Detroit Tigers farm system for three seasons, and was originally selected by Detroit in the 29th round of the 2007 draft out of Flagler College. He is the son of former Major League catcher and manager Gene Lamont.
The Crawdads kick off the 2013 season with Opening Night at L.P. Frans Stadium on Thursday, April 4 against the Greensboro Grasshoppers at 7 p.m., followed by the Grand Opening Fireworks Extravaganza on Friday, April 5 against Greensboro at 7 p.m. Individual Tickets for all 2013 home games will be available starting on Sat., Feb. 23.
For more information on the Crawdads 2013 schedule and field staff, visit Hickorycrawdads.com or call the Front Office at (828) 322-3000.
Get Tickets:
Group outings, corporate partnerships, Buffalo Wild Wings Claw Club memberships, Ticket Books and birthday parties for the 2013 season are all available right now by calling the Front Office at (828) 322-3000. Individual Tickets for all 2013 home games will be available starting on Sat., Feb. 23!