THUNDER BAY – A familiar face is back as manager of the Thunder Bay Border Cats.
Mike Steed, who guided the Northwoods League team in 2010 and 2011, also serving as pitching coach in 2009, has agreed to a three-year deal to manage the ballclub.
The Beamsville, Ont. native has served most recently with the Ontario Blue Jays program in a variety of capacities.
Steed replaces Eric Vasquez, who spent one year as the Border Cats skipper.
“We’d like to thank Eric Vasquez and his coaching staff for the excellent work they did on and off the field with our program this past summer,” said team president David Valente in a release issued on Wednesday by the team.
“Eric built a solid foundation for us to work with, including the opportunity to maximize potential returning players for the 2020 season. We are very grateful for what Eric brought to our organization and wish him and his family all the best in the future.
Vasquez’s squad finished 24-47 in 2019, the second-worst record in the league.
The Border Cats welcomed Steed back with open arms. His teams finished a combined 60-78 over two seasons.
“The Border Cats are thrilled to have another veteran manager like Mike Steed taking over and his commitment by agreeing to a three-year contract.
“Mike has tremendous ties and connections throughout the college game in the United States and also has a solid recruiting list of Canadian talent through his work with the Ontario Blue Jays program and his connections with Baseball Canada,” Valente said.
Steed said he leapt at the opportunity to return to Port Arthur Stadium.
“After I received the call from vice-president Bryan Graham about this opportunity, with the commitment from the local ownership group and upgrades to the organization, myself and family wanted to jump on board. Having coached and managed in the NWL prior made the decision that much easier. Not only because of the Border Cat organization and people of Thunder Bay, but the quality of the league as a whole and the organizations that play in it," Steed said.
