WINNINGEST ALL-TIME MANAGER
HEADED BACK TO KEYS 

Orlando Gomez to Pilot Club for Third Consecutive Season; Son-in-law and former MLB all-star Jose Hernandez joins staff

Frederick, MD – The winningest manager in Frederick Keys history, Orlando Gomez, will return to manage the Keys in 2012. Gomez led the Keys to the best record and league title in the Carolina League in 2011.

“We couldn’t be happier to be getting Orlando back for a third season in Frederick,” Keys General Manager Dave Ziedelis said. “Not only has Orlando brought great success to our club on the field but also in all of his work in our community.”

A new addition to the Keys’ coaching ranks will be former big league all-star Jose Hernandez. Hernandez, Gomez’s son-in-law, played 15 MLB seasons for nine different teams. Most noted for his time with the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers, where he spent 10 years of his career, Hernandez was named a 2002 all-star while with the Brewers.

Hernandez will serve as the team’s field coach. Since retiring in 2007, this will be Hernandez’s second year as a professional coach. Last year, Hernandez served as Delmarva’s hitting coach.

Gomez and Hernandez will be joined by returning staff members Blaine Beatty (Pitching Coach) and Patrick Wesley (Athletic Trainer).

Entering his eighth season in the Orioles organization, Gomez will be in professional baseball for a 49^th year. He has been a player, coach, scout and manager in his time in the game. Gomez played 13 minor league seasons in the New York Yankees (1964-66) and Oakland A’s (1967-76) systems before managing his first team in the short-season Pioneer League with Medicine Hat in 1977. In his many capacities in the game of baseball, Gomez was a coach in the major leagues for three different teams; Texas Rangers (Bullpen Coach 1991, First Base Coach 1992), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (Bullpen Coach 1998-2000) and Seattle Mariners (Bullpen Coach 2003-04). He also was a batting practice pitcher for the Orioles (2005-06) and was the scout who signed Ruben Sierra and Jose Guzman.

As a manager, Gomez was named South Atlantic League Manager of the Year in 1989 when he guided the Gastonia Rangers to a 92-48 record. Gastonia had a 17 year-old catcher making his pro debut that season in Ivan Rodriguez. In his 16 prior seasons as a manager, Gomez has a record of 1004-1086 (.480). 

With the Keys, Gomez has amassed a record of 152-127 (.545) setting the all-time managerial wins record. He is the 18^th manager in Frederick Keys history but the first to be with the club for three seasons. The 2011 club’s 80 wins were a franchise record for a single season.

Beatty (2006-08, 2010), returns for his sixth season as Keys Pitching Coach in his seventh year in the Orioles organization. In his time as Keys Pitching Coach, Beatty has overseen eleven prospects who would rise to the big leagues, including Jake Arrieta, Brad Bergesen and David Hernandez. Originally drafted by the Orioles in the 1986 draft, Beatty was the Carolina League Pitcher of the Year with Hagerstown in 1987.

Wesley, a Frederick, MD resident, returns for his fourth season as the Keys Athletic Trainer. The two-time South Atlantic League Trainer of the Year (2007-08) will be entering his ninth season in the Orioles organization. The Centralia, Illinois native has worked with Southwestern Illinois College and Morgan State University prior.

-www.frederickkeys.com-

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