LITTLE ROCK — Poldberg returning as Naturals’ skipper
Brian Poldberg is returning as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals manager for the 2013 season, but the team will have new pitching and hitting coaches.
Poldberg, 55, will be back for a sixth season with the Naturals, the Class AA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Poldberg is the only manager the Naturals have had since their arrival in Springdale and has led the team to the Texas League playoffs during four of his five seasons. He is 365-331 with the Naturals with an overall minor-league record of 822-836.
He has served as a minor league player, a roving instructor and a minor league manager during his 30 seasons with the Royals organization. He also spent four seasons on the Royals’ major-league staff, serving as third base coach under former manager Buddy Bell in 2007 in addition to stints as first base coach (2006) and bullpen coach (2004-2005).
Jim Brower will take over as the Naturals’ pitching coach, and Nelson Liriano will be the team’s hitting coach.
Brower spent the past two seasons with the Kane County Cougars, the Royals’ Class A affiliate in Geneva, Ill. He pitched nine seasons in the majors with the Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos, San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres and New York Yankees. Brower replaces Larry Carter, who will spend his 16th season in the Royals organization as pitching coach for the Class AAA Omaha Storm Chasers of the Pacific Coast League,
Liriano is entering his 12th year with the Royals organization. He spent last season as hitting coach for the Surprise Royals, the rookie league team in Surprise, Ariz., and served three seasons as manager of the Burlington Royals, the organization’s Appalachian League affiliate. Liriano spent 11 seasons in the majors, including part of the 1991 season with the Royals. Liriano replaces Terry Bradshaw, who will serve as the Royals’ minor-league hitting coordinator.
FOOTBALL
Gaines named freshman All-American
Arkansas freshman Rohan Gaines picked up his second honor of the week Friday when he was named a first-team Freshman All-American by FoxSportsNext.
Gaines was selected with defensive teammates Otha Peters and A.J. Turner to the SEC’s All-Freshman team Thursday.
Gaines, a native of Bainbridge, Ga., ranked third among SEC freshmen with 75 tackles, which was also the second-highest total among Razorbacks.
The redshirt freshman made 10 starts, played in all 12 games and had 4 pass breakups, a forced fumble and a hurry. His best game was an 11-tackle performance against Alabama.
Turner played in all 12 games, made six starts and finished fifth on the team with 53 tackles. The Lepanto native had 12 tackles, including 1 1/2 for lost yardage, in the season finale against LSU.
Peters made starts in the final three games and finished the year with 32 tackles and two hurries. The Covington, La., native produced eight tackles in each of his first two starts at South Carolina and Mississippi State.
- Tom Murphy
Sports, Pages 25 on 12/08/2012