smokies announced 2008 coaching staff

The Tennessee Smokies, AA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, proudly announce the coaching staff for the 2008 season.  Buddy Bailey will serve as the Smokies field manager, with Dennis Lewallyn and Barbaro Garbey returning for their second season as pitching coach and hitting coach, respectively.  

Pat Listach, the Smokies field manager during the 2007 season, will take over the managerial duties for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs in 2008.         

Bailey began his managerial career within the Atlanta Braves organization in 1983 at various levels, including a stint with the Double-A Greeneville Braves from 1988-1990.  He guided the Braves to a Southern League Championship in 1988, and then joined the Single-A Lynchburg Hillcats in the Boston Red Sox organization for two seasons beginning in 1991.  Bailey then went on to manage the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox of the International League from 1993-1996, and again from 2002-2004.  He was named the International League’s manager of the year twice (1996 and 2003), making him one of only four managers to earn that distinction.

Dennis Lewallyn returns to the Smokies for his 2^nd season as pitching coach after guiding Tennessee’s pitching staff to a 4.15 team ERA in 2007.  The Smokies sent three pitchers directly to the major league level in 2007, including starters Sean Gallagher and Kevin Hart, as well as relief pitcher Billy Petrick.  Lewallyn began his coaching career with the Diamondbacks as pitching coach for Lethbridge (Rookie-Advanced) in 1996. He then worked with South Bend (Low A) in 1997 and moved on to High Desert (High A) in 1998 before spending three seasons in El Paso (AA) from 1999-2001. Prior to joining the Diamondbacks, Dennis spent 13 years as a pitching instructor for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ organization. Dennis is a former 1^st round draft pick and has appeared in the majors with the Dodgers, the Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Indians.

Barbaro Garbey will begin his 3^rd year in the Cubs organization as the Smokies hitting coach.  The Smokies batted a league leading .271 as a team during the 2007 season and were second in the Southern League in hits on the season.  Garbey served as the hitting coach for the single-A Peoria Chiefs of the Midwest League in 2006, where the team batted .250 on the year.  Barbaro has the unique distinction of being the first Cuban born player to defect to the United States.  He spent three years in the majors with the Detroit Tigers (1984-1985) and the Texas Rangers (1988).  Barbaro was named the Detroit Sports Broadcasters’ Association Tigers Rookie of the Year after hitting .287 in 110 games for the 1984 World Champion Tigers.

Nick Frangella will serve as the Smokies athletic trainer for the 2008 season.  He served as the athletic trainer for the Peoria Chiefs during the 2007 season.  This will be Nick’s fourth year in the Cubs organization.