Arnie Beyeler

Arnie Beyeler
Beyeler as a Red Sox coach in 2013
New Orleans Zephyrs
Manager
Born: (1964-02-13) February 13, 1964 Moab, Utah
Bats: Right Throws: Right

Arnold H. Beyeler (born February 13, 1964) is an American professional baseball manager and former Major League coach. In 2016 he will manage the New Orleans Zephyrs of the Pacific Coast League, the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.^[1]

Previously, he spent three seasons (2013–15) as first-base and outfield coach of the Boston Red Sox, winning a 2013 World Series ring. During that season, Beyeler helped veteran centerfielder Shane Victorino convert to right field, a notoriously difficult position at his home stadium, Fenway Park. When Victorino won a 2013 Gold Glove for defensive excellence, he invited Beyeler to the off-season awards ceremony in New York as his guest.^[2] During 2014–15, Beyeler converted infielders Mookie Betts and Brock Holt into outfielders, with Betts becoming the Red Sox' regular centerfielder in 2015. But veteran shortstop Hanley Ramirez' conversion to leftfielder was a disaster in 2015,^[3] and Boston released Beyeler on October 4, 2015.^[4][5]

In 2016, Beveler will spend his 13th season as a manager, his first in the Marlins' system. Before being appointed to Boston's coaching staff in November 2012,^[6] he was the pilot of the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox of the International League, the Red Sox' top-level minor league affiliate, from 2011–12.^[7] Beyeler previously had served for four seasons (2007–10) as skipper of the Portland Sea Dogs of the Eastern League, the Red Sox' Double-A farm club.^[8] In his two years as manager of the Pawtucket Red Sox, Beyeler led the team to an International League North Division title in 2011 and its third Governors' Cup championship in 2012.

Six-year professional playing career

Beyeler, a native of Moab, Utah, graduated from Grand County High School, Lamar Community College, and Wichita State University, where he played varsity baseball and majored in communications. A second baseman and shortstop in professional baseball, he threw and batted right-handed, and stood 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) tall and weighed 195 pounds (88 kg). Beyeler played six seasons (1986–91) in the Detroit Tigers farm system, compiling a batting average of .254 with 69 stolen bases in 584 games played, including 29 games with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens in 1991.^[9]

Scout, manager and coach

After his retirement as an active player, Beyeler began his off-field career as a Florida-based area scout for the Tigers (1992–96). He then spent three seasons, 1997–99, in the New York Yankees organization as a batting and infield coach for the Double-A Norwich Navigators and the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. In 2000 he joined the Red Sox system for the first time as manager of the Lowell Spinners of the Short Season-A New York-Penn League (2000–01) and the Augusta GreenJackets (2002) of the Class A South Atlantic League. When an ownership change in Boston resulted in a turnover of the player development department, Beyeler departed for the Texas Rangers organization, managing the Stockton Ports (2003–04) and the Bakersfield Blaze (2005) of the Class A California League. He then spent the 2006 campaign as batting coach for the Mobile BayBears, the Double-A Southern League affiliate of the San Diego Padres, before his return to the Boston organization as Portland's manager in 2007.^[10]

Through 2012, in twelve years as a minor league manager, Beyeler has compiled a record of 802 wins and 756 losses (.515). He resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

References

• Boston Red Sox Official Media Guide, 2008 edition
• Portland Press-Herald, December 13, 2006

External links

• Career statistics and player information from The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)