Another season means another new manager for the Thunder Bay Border Cats.
The Northwoods League baseball team on Wednesday named Johnny Hernandez as their skipper for 2014, replacing the departed Dan Holcomb, whose contract was not renewed.
Currently the coach at Long Island University-Brooklyn, the 33-year-old Hernandez was a 15th=-round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1998, where he played professionally within their organization. Hernandez also played outfield in the Independent League for the Bridgeport Bluefish and the Long Island Ducks.
He also spent time in the U.S. navy, serving in both Iraq and Africa.
Hernandez, who spent last summer coaching the Shelter Island Bucks of the Hampton Summer Collegiate Baseball League, is looking forward to his latest challenge.
"I am very excited at the opportunity to manage the Border Cats and in the Northwoods League, one of the premier summer collegiate leagues in North America,” he said in a release.
"I look forward to the challenge of bringing a winning club and playoff contender to the fans in Thunder Bay."
Border Cats president and general manager Brad Jorgensen said he liked what Hernandez brought to the table.
“Johnny's experience as a player and coach and his strong recruiting ties with several Division-1 programs around the United States will produce an excellent roster for the 2014 season,” Jorgensen said.
The Border Cats endured a dismal 2013 campaign that saw them finish 21-49 under Holcomb, the worst record in the Northwoods League.
Hernandez becomes the 11th manager in team history, dating back to 2003.
