Russo Returns as Mountaineers Field Manager
Montpelier, VT – The Vermont Mountaineers have announced the return of Manager John Russo to the helm of NECBL franchise for the 2012 10th anniversary season.
Russo has been with the club for eight of the past ten years, beginning with the 2003 inaugural season. Voicing his enthusiasm about his return said, “I’m looking forward to working with General Manager Brian Gallagher again. Brian and I have had a lot of success working together. It’s always good to work for someone when you know you have their full support,” Russo noted.
Gallagher echoed similar thoughts: “There is no doubt that John brings a wealth of baseball knowledge to the job. His acumen and patience is also found in the more than two dozen former Mountaineers who are now professional baseball players.”
Russo, currently in his fourth year as Assistant Baseball Coach with Division I Hofstra University, led the Mountaineers in a 2011 campaign that saw the team end the season in third place as one of the hottest teams in a very tightly contested Western Division, and earn yet another playoff berth.
Gallagher said 2012 promises to be a very exciting year for the Mountaineers. Not only is the team observing its 10th anniversary, they will host the annual NECBL All-Star Baseball game in July. “Once again the all-star game will give the Mountaineers an opportunity to play host to the very best collegiate baseball players in the NECBL,” he said.
Russo will not be the only familiar face returning for the 2010 season. Assistant Coach Clint Brown will also be a part of Russo’s coaching staff while outfielder Brian O’Grady and NECBL All-Star closer Kyle Grana are set to return to historic Montpelier Recreation Field.
O’Grady broke the Mountaineers single season base stealing record last year with 25 stolen bases. And the Mountaineers set a new NECBL base stealing record with 118.
Opening day for the NECBL 2012 season is set for June 7, 2012.
