Stan Cliburn

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Stan Cliburn
Catcher
Born: (1956-12-19) December 19, 1956
Jackson, Mississippi
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 6, 1980 for the California Angels
Last MLB appearance
September 24, 1980 for the California Angels
Career statistics
Batting average .179
Home runs 2
Hits 10
RBI 6
Teams

Stanley Gene Cliburn (born December 19, 1956, in Jackson, Mississippi) is a retired professional baseball player who played one season for the California Angels of Major League Baseball. He was most recently the manager of the Rochester Red Wings, the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, from 2006 to 2009. Cliburn has also managed in the Arizona Fall League and at other levels in the minor leagues. He is the twin brother of former Major League pitcher Stu Cliburn, who remains a coach in the Twins' farm system. Cliburn is now in his first year as manager of the Sioux City Explorers, a team that plays in the American Association, an independent league.

Playing career

Cliburn played one season in the majors with the California Angels in 1980.

Coaching career

From 2001 to 2005, Cliburn was the manager of the New Britain Rock Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. His pitching coach at New Britain for those five seasons was Stu Cliburn, his twin brother. On October 18, 2005, Stan Cliburn was named as manager of the Rochester Red Wings, the Triple-A affiliate of the Twins. Initially, it was believed that Stu would not be promoted along with Stan;[1] however, both were promoted to Rochester for the 2006 season.[2] In his first season at the helm in Rochester, Cliburn guided the Wings to a 79–64 record and came within one game of winning the Governors' Cup, the championship of the International League.[3][4]

The 2006 season proved to be the most successful of Cliburn's tenure in Rochester. The team's record declined in each successive season following the playoff run, eventually falling to 70–74 in 2009.[5] Additionally, following the 2008 season, Stan was separated from Stu for the first time in eight years as Stu was reassigned to New Britain for 2009.[6] On September 21, 2009, the Minnesota Twins announced that they would not renew manager Stan Cliburn's contract for the 2010 season. According to Twins farm director Jim Rantz, the change was made as part of an "overall directional change that is being implemented throughout the minor-league system."[3] Cliburn was ultimately replaced by Tom Nieto. As of October 2009, Cliburn has not joined another organization.[7]

In the fall of 2008, Cliburn managed in the Arizona Fall League (AFL). His team, the Phoenix Desert Dogs, finished just 18–18 during the season; however, they won their division and defeated the Mesa Solar Sox in the AFL championship game to capture Phoenix's fifth straight title.[8]

Stan is now a proud member of the California Winter League coaching staff. The California Winter League is a top notch Professional Independent Developmental league where current and inspiring free agents looking for a job in pro baseball have a chance to shine their skills in front of Major League scouts during the winter time in beautiful Palm Springs, California where it is 80 degrees on an average winter day. Stan has been a coach in the CWL for 4 years now.

References

  1. ↑ Mike Hedeen (October 17, 2005). "Stan Cliburn to Manage Wings". R News. Retrieved October 21, 2009. 
  2. ↑ Bill Pucko (April 4, 2006). "The Cliburns are Coming". R News. Retrieved October 21, 2009. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Jim Mandelaro (September 21, 2009). "Cliburn won't return as Red Wings manager". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved September 22, 2009. 
  4. ↑ Matt Segal (September 4, 2006). "Indians force tiebreaker for IL West Division title". Indianapolis Indians. Retrieved October 21, 2009. 
  5. ↑ Baseball-Reference.com. "Rochester, New York Minor League City Encyclopedia". Retrieved October 21, 2009. 
  6. ↑ Cory Hepola (October 23, 2008). "Stan Back, Stu Gone". RochesterHomepage.net (WROC/WUHF). Retrieved October 21, 2009. 
  7. ↑ Jim Mandelaro (October 21, 2009). "Nieto takes Rochester Red Wings' helm". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved October 21, 2009. 
  8. ↑ Bill Mitchell (November 24, 2008). "Desert Dogs Win Their Fifth Straight Title". Baseball America. Retrieved October 21, 2009. 

External links

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