GaryMrMets
12-05-2005, 02:27 AM
http://www.readingphillies.com/release_12_01_05.htm
Forbes formally introduced to Baseballtown
Reading, PA -- The Philadelphia Phillies named P.J. Forbes manager for Double-A Reading on November 4, 2005 and on December 1 he was in Baseballtown to meet the media and check out his new surroundings.* The 22nd manager in R-Phils history, Forbes takes over for 2006, the Phillies 40th season affiliated with Reading.
"It's very exciting to be in Reading with all the nostalgia and the longevity that the Phillies have had with this organization in this town," Forbes said as he took the podium.
Forbes, 38, retired from playing in spring training of 2003 and spent the last two seasons managing the Phillies’ South Atlantic League (Lo-A) affiliate in Lakewood, NJ, where he guided the BlueClaws to a record of 126-150. In 2004, Forbes’ first managerial season, Lakewood finished with its first ever winning record (70-67) and set a franchise record by winning 39 games in the season’s second half. He was also a coach in Major League Baseball’s All-Star Futures Game in Detroit this past July and recently wrapped up an assignment as hitting coach for the Surprise Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League.*
"I'm very grateful, first of all, to the Phillies for giving me this opportunity.* Two years in (to managing) to be in AA* is very exciting for me and my family,"*Forbes went on to say.*"I'm very grateful to Mike Arbuckle, Mike Compton, Steve Noworyta and the rest of the people in Philadelphia that feel I'm ready to take on this challenge."
A 20th round pick of the California Angels in 1990, Forbes spent 13 professional seasons primarily as an infielder and made it to the Major Leagues with Baltimore in 1998 and Philadelphia in 2001. He was a career .280 Minor League hitter and was 3-for-17 as a Major Leaguer. His best season came in 1993 for Midland when he led the Texas League (AA) in runs scored (90) and registered career highs in most offensive categories, including batting average (.319), home runs (15) and RBIs (64). From 1993-1996, he was the top fielding 2nd baseman in his league three times. He spent his last three seasons (‘00-‘02) as a player in the Phillies system, hitting .288 for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and .286 for Philadelphia.
A native of Pittsburg, Kansas, Forbes is a graduate of Wichita State University, where he earned a degree in marketing. He also played for the Shockers’ 1989 NCAA Championship baseball team. He is married (Stephanie) with three daughters and resides in Wichita.*
"Double-A, to me, is about fine tuning, polishing guys for the big leagues and about winning more so than at the lower levels," Forbes of the jump from Low-A ball.* "We're going to go out there, and we plan on winning and anything else is unacceptable to me."
Reading coaches John Morris (hitting) and Tom Filer (pitching), a Philadelphia native and graduate of LaSalle University and Archbishop Ryan High School, will both return.*Morris and Filer were both in Reading for the news conference.
Steve Swisher, Reading’s manager in 2005 did not have his contract renewed at the end of the season. Joel Kennedy, Reading’s athletic trainer the past two seasons, also did not have his contract renewed. His replacement has not been named.
What they’re saying …
“P.J. is very organized and has good instincts. He’s a hard worker that communicates well with his players, so this jump to double-A is well-deserved. I know he’s done a great job and this is a great opportunity for him.”
- Marc Bombard, Philadelphia Phillies first base coach who managed
Forbes for three season at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA).
“PJ was first class all the way around. He was great with the fans and everyone associated with the BlueClaws will miss him and wish him the best.”
- Geoff Brown, Lakewood BlueClaws General Manager.
This story was posted on December 1, 2005
http://www.readingphillies.com/trout/2006/12_01_forbes.jpg
Reading, PA -- P.J. Forbes (left) was formally introduced as the R-Phils new manager at a December 1 news conference.* Above, Forbes is presented with his No. 7 jersey by Reading Mayor Tom McMahon (center) and State Senator Mike O'Pake (right).* The jersey is a 1967 style uniform that the R-Phils will wear on Tuesdays this coming season as part of the team's 40th Anniversary celebration.
http://www.readingphillies.com/trout/2006/12_01_forbes2.jpg
PJ Forbes addresses the media at his introductory news conference.*Forbes is wearing a 1967 style Reading jersey that the R-Phils will wear on Tuesday's in 2006 as part of the club's 40th Anniversary Celebration.
Forbes formally introduced to Baseballtown
Reading, PA -- The Philadelphia Phillies named P.J. Forbes manager for Double-A Reading on November 4, 2005 and on December 1 he was in Baseballtown to meet the media and check out his new surroundings.* The 22nd manager in R-Phils history, Forbes takes over for 2006, the Phillies 40th season affiliated with Reading.
"It's very exciting to be in Reading with all the nostalgia and the longevity that the Phillies have had with this organization in this town," Forbes said as he took the podium.
Forbes, 38, retired from playing in spring training of 2003 and spent the last two seasons managing the Phillies’ South Atlantic League (Lo-A) affiliate in Lakewood, NJ, where he guided the BlueClaws to a record of 126-150. In 2004, Forbes’ first managerial season, Lakewood finished with its first ever winning record (70-67) and set a franchise record by winning 39 games in the season’s second half. He was also a coach in Major League Baseball’s All-Star Futures Game in Detroit this past July and recently wrapped up an assignment as hitting coach for the Surprise Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League.*
"I'm very grateful, first of all, to the Phillies for giving me this opportunity.* Two years in (to managing) to be in AA* is very exciting for me and my family,"*Forbes went on to say.*"I'm very grateful to Mike Arbuckle, Mike Compton, Steve Noworyta and the rest of the people in Philadelphia that feel I'm ready to take on this challenge."
A 20th round pick of the California Angels in 1990, Forbes spent 13 professional seasons primarily as an infielder and made it to the Major Leagues with Baltimore in 1998 and Philadelphia in 2001. He was a career .280 Minor League hitter and was 3-for-17 as a Major Leaguer. His best season came in 1993 for Midland when he led the Texas League (AA) in runs scored (90) and registered career highs in most offensive categories, including batting average (.319), home runs (15) and RBIs (64). From 1993-1996, he was the top fielding 2nd baseman in his league three times. He spent his last three seasons (‘00-‘02) as a player in the Phillies system, hitting .288 for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and .286 for Philadelphia.
A native of Pittsburg, Kansas, Forbes is a graduate of Wichita State University, where he earned a degree in marketing. He also played for the Shockers’ 1989 NCAA Championship baseball team. He is married (Stephanie) with three daughters and resides in Wichita.*
"Double-A, to me, is about fine tuning, polishing guys for the big leagues and about winning more so than at the lower levels," Forbes of the jump from Low-A ball.* "We're going to go out there, and we plan on winning and anything else is unacceptable to me."
Reading coaches John Morris (hitting) and Tom Filer (pitching), a Philadelphia native and graduate of LaSalle University and Archbishop Ryan High School, will both return.*Morris and Filer were both in Reading for the news conference.
Steve Swisher, Reading’s manager in 2005 did not have his contract renewed at the end of the season. Joel Kennedy, Reading’s athletic trainer the past two seasons, also did not have his contract renewed. His replacement has not been named.
What they’re saying …
“P.J. is very organized and has good instincts. He’s a hard worker that communicates well with his players, so this jump to double-A is well-deserved. I know he’s done a great job and this is a great opportunity for him.”
- Marc Bombard, Philadelphia Phillies first base coach who managed
Forbes for three season at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA).
“PJ was first class all the way around. He was great with the fans and everyone associated with the BlueClaws will miss him and wish him the best.”
- Geoff Brown, Lakewood BlueClaws General Manager.
This story was posted on December 1, 2005
http://www.readingphillies.com/trout/2006/12_01_forbes.jpg
Reading, PA -- P.J. Forbes (left) was formally introduced as the R-Phils new manager at a December 1 news conference.* Above, Forbes is presented with his No. 7 jersey by Reading Mayor Tom McMahon (center) and State Senator Mike O'Pake (right).* The jersey is a 1967 style uniform that the R-Phils will wear on Tuesdays this coming season as part of the team's 40th Anniversary celebration.
http://www.readingphillies.com/trout/2006/12_01_forbes2.jpg
PJ Forbes addresses the media at his introductory news conference.*Forbes is wearing a 1967 style Reading jersey that the R-Phils will wear on Tuesday's in 2006 as part of the club's 40th Anniversary Celebration.