By Bruce Wald
Sunday, January 2, 2011
It's a new year but the Washington Wild Things have the same manager for a second consecutive season for the first time since 2007.
The Frontier League team recently announced that Darin Everson will return as the team's manager for the 2011 season.
It's the first time since John Massarelli guided the Wild Things from 2004 through 2007. Washington has missed the Frontier League playoffs each of the past three seasons after beginning its existence with six consecutive post-season appearances starting in 2002. During the team's first six years, Washington won five division titles with two championship round appearances in 2002 and 2007
The Wild Things finished 2010 with a 38-57 overall record, 18 * games behind the division winner and the franchise's worst record ever. Washington ended the season with an eight-game losing streak. The Wild Things went 43-53 in 2009 after a 48-48 showing in 2008.
Prior to joining Washington, Everson worked with the Florida Marlins organization for four years, including managing the Greensboro (N.C.) Grasshoppers of the Class-A South Atlantic League in 2009 and the Jamestown (N.Y.) Jammers of the New York-Penn League in 2007 and 2008. His 2008 Jammers team compiled a 47-29 record, advancing to the championship series before losing to Batavia (Ill.).
"We're excited that Darin is returning to the Wild Things for a second season," managing director Todd Marlin said. "He built a nice base for our team last season, and we are looking forward to having a strong year in 2011 and getting back to a winning tradition in Washington."
Everson also will become Washington's director of baseball operations.
"I am very excited to come back to Washington in 2011 and to be part of the team's 10th season, Everson said in a press release." We look forward to putting a solid team together that will compete on a nightly basis."
Washington will open the 2011 season by playing the Frontier League's new team, Joliet (Ill.) on May 19 at the yet-to-be named team's 6,500-seat Silver Cross Field.
Beginning its 19th season the Frontier League also recently announced that the Oakland County Crusaders will sit out the 2011 season while finalizing construction on their new field at the Summit Ballpark in Water Township, Mich. The Crusaders will return to Frontier League play in 2012.
Pagac power
Beth Center High School graduate and Richeyville native Fred Pagac's distinguished football coaching career will conclude its 33rd season later today when the Minnesota Vikings conclude their season at Tampa Bay.
Having served as the Vikings' linebackers' coach since 2006, Pagac was given additional duties when the Vikings replaced head coach Brad Childress with defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier for the team's final six games, taking over as defensive coordinator for the Vikings.
Pagac previously held the role of defensive coordinator at his collegiate alma mater, Ohio State University, from 1996-99. He was Ohio State's assistant head coach in 2000 and began coaching there in 1978.
He began coaching in the National Football League in 2001 and was the Raiders' linebackers' coach for three seasons. He then spent two years as an assistant coach with the Kansas City Chiefs before joining Minnesota.
During Pagac's 23 years on the Ohio State coaching staff, the Buckeyes played in 20 bowl games. As a player and coach, Pagac was part of six Rose Bowls with the Buckeyes. He was among five finalists for the Frank Broyles Award as the NCAA's top assistant in 1998.
He was a three-year starting tight end for Ohio State from 1971-73 and played one season each with the Chicago Bears and Tamps Bay Buccaneers in the NFL. As a rookie free agent in 1974, he received the Bears' prestigious Brian Piccolo Award
Since 1970, Chicago Bears veterans have voted and awarded this honor to the Bears rookie who best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Brian Piccolo. A running back, Piccolo died of cancer in 1970 at the age of 26.
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