THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 24, 1995 TAG: 9510240392
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
Toby Harrah set a large standard for Norfolk Tides managers to meet by winning a club-record 86 games last season and capturing the Manager of the Year award in the International League.
Harrah, though, will be back next season to give it a try.
The Tides and New York Mets announced Monday that Harrah, 47, will return with his staff intact. Pitching coach Bob Apodaca has signed up for his sixth consecutive season in Norfolk and coach Ron Washington for his fourth, and second in a row.
The trainer again will be Joe Hawkins, in his second year.
Harrah, who managed the Texas Rangers for the last half of the 1992 season, talked at the end of last season about his desire to manage again in the major leagues.
He said that, failing a managerial job or prime coaching position on a big league club, managing in Norfolk would be his preference for 1996.
``I think it's important, if I want to manage in the big leagues, to continue to manage (in Triple-A),'' Harrah said from his home in Fort Worth, Texas. ``This is a great opportunity to do it again.
``I haven't pursued anything, and I'm not going to pursue anything. I'm going to continue to do this and do the best I can. Then if the opportunity to get to the big leagues presents itself, I'll sure try to take advantage of it.''
It would be hard for Harrah, however, to expect his second season to go as swimmingly as his first. Though riddled by player transactions, the Tides were blessed with a teeming load of talent, mostly young pitchers such as Bill Pulsipher, Jason Isringhausen, Paul Byrd and Reid Cornelius, and league most valuable player Butch Huskey.
All made significant marks with the Tides before moving on to New York, as more than a dozen Tides did.
Righthander Paul Wilson, a late addition to the Tides last season, and brilliant shortstop Rey Ordonez also probably will take their skills to the Mets to start next season, making Harrah's challenge that much greater.
``I'd like to do even better next year, but that has a lot to do with talent,'' said Harrah, who will begin his 30th season in pro baseball. ``Last year was a great experience. It was such a fun year, especially being my first year.
``And to have Bob Apodaca and Ronnie Washington coming back, that keeps me in my comfort zone more or less. I have a tremendous amount of respect for them. Coming back sure won't hurt me. I need the experience.'' ILLUSTRATION: Clockwise from top left, Norfolk Tides manager Toby Harrah and
his coaches, Bob Apodaca and Ron Washington.
by CNB