List of Memphis Chicks (Southern League) managers

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Tommy Jones managed the Chicks from 1985 to 1986, placing third all-time in franchise wins. Tommy Jones 1986.jpg
Tommy Jones managed the Chicks from 1985 to 1986, placing third all-time in franchise wins.

The Memphis Chicks were a Minor League Baseball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, that played at the Double-A level in the Southern League (SL) from 1978 to 1997. The franchise was established as an expansion team two years after the departure of the Memphis Blues and had no connection to the original Memphis Chicks of the Southern Association. Over its 20-year history, the club employed 16 managers. [1] [2] In baseball, the head coach of a team is known as the manager, or more formally, the field manager, and is responsible for team strategy and leadership on and off the field, including determining the batting order, arranging defensive positions, and making tactical decisions such as pitching changes, pinch-hitting, pinch-running, and defensive replacements. [3]

Contents

At the conclusion of their franchise's history, Memphis' managers had led the club for 2,858 regular-season games in which they compiled a win–loss record of 1,418–1,439 (.496). In seven postseason appearances, their teams had a record of 15–21 (.417) and won one Southern League championship (1990). Combining all 2,894 regular-season and postseason games, the Chicks had an all-time record of 1,434–1,460 (.496).

Jeff Cox won 193 games over three seasons (1989–1991), placing him first on the all-time wins list for Chicks managers. [4] Having managed the team for 431 games, he was also the longest-tenured manager in team history. [4] The manager with the highest winning percentage over a full season or more was Ed Romero (1996), with .583. Conversely, the lowest winning percentage over a season or more was .448 by Jeff Cox. [1]

History

Billy Gardner managed the Chicks in 1979, winning 82 games. Billy Gardner Memphis Chicks Mgr 1979.jpg
Billy Gardner managed the Chicks in 1979, winning 82 games.

In December 1977, the Montreal Expos, the Major League Baseball parent club of the Memphis Chicks, named Felipe Alou as manager of the newly-established team. [5] He led them to a 71–73 record in their inaugural 1978 season. [6] Billy Gardner was selected to manage the 1979 squad, after having served as the Expos' first-base coach. [7] Under Gardner, Memphis recorded an 82–62 mark, [8] finishing the first half of the 1979 season tied for first place with the Montgomery Rebels. [9] The Chicks defeated the Rebels in a one-game playoff, 2–1, to win the first-half title. [10] However, Memphis lost in the Western Division series against the Nashville Sounds, two games to one. [11] Gardner was promoted to manage Montreal's Triple-A affiliate, the Denver Bears, and Larry Bearnarth was hired as the next manager for the Chicks. [12] Bearnarth ran the team for the next two seasons. [13] His 1980 Chicks won the Western Division title over Nashville, 3–1, before losing the Southern League championship to the Charlotte Orioles, 3–1. [14] [15] Memphis qualified for the postseason again in 1981, only to fall in the division series against Nashville, 3–0. [16]

Rick Renick managed the Chicks from 1982 to 1983, winning 129 games. Rick Renick Denver Bears 1978 (cropped).jpg
Rick Renick managed the Chicks from 1982 to 1983, winning 129 games.

From 1982 to 1988, no managerial term lasted longer than two complete seasons. Rick Renick was hired in December 1981 as the new manager of the Memphis Chicks, having served as the major league hitting instructor for the Kansas City Royals during the previous season. [17] Renick managed the Chicks to 132 wins from 1982 to 1983, placing him fourth all-time in franchise victories. [18] Renick was selected as a coach for the Southern League All-Stars in the 1983 Southern League All-Star Game. [19] On August 12, 1983, Renick was ejected in the fourth inning of the second game of a doubleheader. Coach Larry Goldetsky took over for the rest of the night, which ended in Memphis' twelfth consecutive loss. [20] On August 26, just before a game against the Chattanooga Lookouts, Renick was hospitalized after complaints of dizziness and chest pains. He was carried off the field at Engle Stadium on a stretcher and taken to Erlanger Medical Center. [21] [22] Goldetsky was appointed as manager for the Chicks for the remainder of the season, finishing with a 2–5 record. [23] [24]

Memphis ended their affiliation with the Montreal Expos after the 1983 season. [25] Avron Fogelman, owner of the Memphis team, had purchased a 49 percent interest in the Kansas City Royals. [26] The majority owner of the Royals, Ewing Kauffman, chose to move Kansas City's Double-A affiliation to Memphis for 1984. [27] In November of that year, the Royals named Rick Mathews as the new Memphis manager. [28] Mathews managed the 1984 team to a sub-.500 record. [29] In November 1986, Tommy Jones became the next manager of the team after spending the last three seasons with the Royals' Class A affiliate, the Fort Myers Royals. [30] From 1985 to 1986, Jones recorded 134 wins in 288 games, good for third all-time in franchise victories. [31] Jones also coached the 1986 Southern League All-Stars. [32] In November 1987, Jones was hired to manage the Albany-Colonie Yankees in the New York Yankees organization. [33] This prompted Montreal management to hire Bob Schaefer, who was coming off of an Eastern League Manager of the Year Award after guiding the Glens Falls Tigers to the playoffs, as the next manager. [34] Schaefer managed the 1987 Memphis Chicks to a winning record, however it was not enough to qualify for the postseason. [35] At the conclusion of the campaign, Schaefer was succeeded by Sal Rende, following a promotion in October to become the first-base coach in Kansas City. [36] Rende managed the 1988 Chicks into the postseason, their first appearance since 1981, [37] [38] but they were defeated by Chattanooga for the Western Division title, 3–1. [39] After the season, Rende was promoted to manage the Triple-A Omaha Royals. [40]

Sal Rende managed the Chicks in 1988, winning 80 games. Sal Rende (manager) - Memphis Chicks - 1988.jpg
Sal Rende managed the Chicks in 1988, winning 80 games.

Jeff Cox, who spent part of the 1988 season in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, was the next Chicks manager. [40] He won 193 games from 1989 to 1991, placing him first on the all-time wins list for Memphis managers. Having managed the team for 431 games, he was also the longest-tenured manager in team history. [4] In 1990, Cox's Chicks won the first-half Western Division title before defeating the Birmingham Barons in five games to advance to the SL championship series. [41] [42] The Chicks defeated the Orlando SunRays, 3–2, to win their first and only Southern League championship. [43] Cox had also been selected to coach in that year's Southern League All-Star Game. [44] At the end of the season, he was promoted to manage Triple-A Omaha, which resulted in Brian Poldberg, the hitting coach at Omaha, being hired to manage Memphis. [45] Poldberg finished the 1992 campaign with 71 wins in 144 games. [46] The Chicks had five different managers over their last five seasons of competition. Tom Poquette helmed the team in 1993. [47] After finishing the season in last place in the Western Division in both halves, Poquette was replaced by Ron Johnson in 1994. [48] In his only season as team manager, Johnson recorded a winning record, finishing 75–62, but was unable to qualify for the playoffs. [49]

Memphis became the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres in 1995. [50] Jerry Royster was hired as the Chicks' manager to begin the new affiliation. [51] [52] He led the Chicks to the postseason via the first-half title, [53] but fell to Chattanooga, 3–2, in the division series. [54] At the end of the season, Royster was promoted to manage the Triple-A Las Vegas Stars, and Ed Romero was moved up from the Class A Clinton LumberKings to manage Memphis. [55] Romero was the last Memphis manager to make the postseason, [56] winning the first half but falling to Chattanooga for the second year in a row. [57] [58] Romero was chosen to manage the National League-affiliated All-Stars at the 1996 Double-A All-Star Game. [59]

In 1997, their final season as a franchise, Memphis was affiliated with the Seattle Mariners. [60] Dave Brundage, who had led Seattle's Class A-Advanced teams for two seasons, was promoted to Memphis, [60] and managed the Chicks to a 67–72 record. [61] With the arrival of the Memphis Redbirds, a Triple-A expansion team of the Pacific Coast League, [62] the Southern League Chicks franchise relocated to Jackson, Tennessee, after the season to become the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx. [63]

Managers

Key
No.A running total of the number of Chicks managers
†Award winner or All-Star while managing the Chicks
Managers
No.ManagerSeason(s)Regular-seasonPostseasonRef(s).
GamesWinsLossesWin %AppearancesWinsLossesWin %
1 Felipe Alou 19781447173.493———— [6]
2 Billy Gardner 19791448262.569112.333 [8]
3 Larry Bearnarth 1980–1981287160127.557247.364 [13]
4 Rick Renick †1982–1983283129154.456———— [18]
5Larry Goldetsky1983725.286———— [23]
6 Rick Mathews 19841467175.486———— [29]
7 Tommy Jones †1985–1986288134154.465———— [31]
8 Bob Schaefer 19871437271.503———— [35]
9Sal Rende19881437964.552113.250 [37]
10 Jeff Cox †1989–1991431193238.448163.667 [4]
11 Brian Poldberg 19921447173.493———— [46]
12 Tom Poquette 19931406377.450———— [47]
13 Ron Johnson 19941377562.547———— [49]
14 Jerry Royster 19951426874.479123.400 [51]
15 Ed Romero †19961398158.583113.250 [56]
16 Dave Brundage 19971396772.482———— [61]
Totals16 managers20 seasons2,8571,4181,439.49671521.417—

References

  1. 1 2 "2019 Memphis Redbirds Media Guide" (PDF). 2019 Memphis Redbirds Media Guide. Minor League Baseball. February 4, 2020. p. 4. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 15, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  2. ↑ Rollins, Glenn (September 16, 1977). "Southern Directors Vote In 2 Teams". The Charlotte Observer . Charlotte. p. 17. Archived from the original on December 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "What is a Manager?". Major League Baseball . Archived from the original on August 31, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Jeff Cox Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  5. ↑ Brennan, Jack (December 2, 1977). "Expos Award Alou Chicks' Challenge". The Memphis Press-Scimitar . p. 17. Archived from the original on July 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. 1 2 "Felipe Alou Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Archived from the original on May 27, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Billy Gardner Named Memphis Chicks' Head". The Tennessean . Montreal: The Associated Press. December 13, 1978. p. 9. Archived from the original on July 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. 1 2 "Billy Gardner Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on July 21, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  9. ↑ Young, Rick (June 25, 1979). "Rebs, Chicks Will Play Off 1st-Half Tie". The Alabama Journal . p. 14. Archived from the original on June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Stukenborg, Phil (July 19, 1979). "Chicks Hoist First-Half Pennant Over Memphis". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. p. 24. Archived from the original on June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ Brennan, Jack (September 6, 1979). "Chicks Silenced by the Sounds". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. Memphis. p. 26. Archived from the original on June 30, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Chicks to Name New Manager". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. November 1, 1979. p. 28. Archived from the original on July 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. 1 2 "Larry Bearnarth Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  14. ↑ Squires, Tom (September 7, 1980). "Sounds Fall; Chicks Win Title". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 1-C. Archived from the original on June 15, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "Charlotte Wins Southern League". The Dothan Eagle . Memphis: The Associated Press. September 11, 1980. p. 6. Archived from the original on June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ Squires, Tom (September 6, 1981). "Nashville Clinches Western". The Tennessean. p. 36. Archived from the original on June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "Chicks Land Rick Renick". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. December 9, 1981. p. 43. Archived from the original on July 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. 1 2 "Rick Renick Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Southern League Adds to Star Team". The Memphis Press-Scimitar . Birmingham: The Associated Press. June 14, 1983. p. 20. Archived from the original on July 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ Schoenfeld, Bruce (August 12, 1983). "Battered Chicks Need a Miracle Worker". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. p. 24. Archived from the original on July 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Illness Hits Renick Before Road Game". The Commercial Appeal . Chattanooga. August 26, 1983. p. 31. Archived from the original on July 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ "Renick to Remain in Hospital". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. Chattanooga. August 26, 1983. p. 17. Archived from the original on July 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. 1 2 "Larry Goldetsky Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  24. ↑ Schoenfeld, Bruce (August 31, 1983). "Chicks' Put Breaks on Long Bumpy Ride". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. p. 42. Archived from the original on July 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ↑ Schoenfeld, Bruce (September 1, 1983). "Fond Farewell: Memorable Era Ends for Chicks". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. p. 23. Archived from the original on July 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ↑ Lewis, Jim (December 20, 1983). "Coaches' Deaths Fog State Sports in 1983". Kingsport Times-News . Kingsport. p. 3D. Archived from the original on December 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ↑ "Chicks Will Play as Double-A Franchise". Johnson City Press . Johnson City. September 22, 1983. p. 33. Archived from the original on December 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ↑ Haney, Greg (November 4, 1983). "Chicks' Manager Named by Royals". The Commercial Appeal. p. 34. Archived from the original on July 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. 1 2 "Rick Mathews Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on December 25, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  30. ↑ Haney, Greg (November 13, 1984). "New Boss of Chicks Talks Wins". The Commercial Appeal. p. 23. Archived from the original on July 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. 1 2 "Tommy Jones Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on February 12, 2025. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  32. ↑ Willis, George (July 11, 1986). "Chicks Place a Pair on Southern All-Stars". The Commercial Appeal. Charlotte. p. 33. Archived from the original on July 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ↑ "Yankees Hire Tommy Jones as Their Albany-Colony (AA) Manager". The Star-Ledger . November 9, 1986. p. 209. Archived from the original on July 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ↑ Wickham, Pete (November 7, 1986). "Schaefer is Named Chicks' Manager". The Commercial Appeal. p. 31. Archived from the original on July 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. 1 2 "Bob Schaefer Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on May 23, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  36. ↑ Fleming, Mike (November 13, 1987). "Rende a Rain Maker?". The Commercial Appeal. p. 35. Archived from the original on July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. 1 2 "Sal Rende Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  38. ↑ Higgins, Ron (August 30, 1988). "Chicks Capture Second-Half Title". The Commercial Appeal. p. 29. Archived from the original on June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ↑ Stukenborg, Phil (September 8, 1988). "Loss Ends Title Hopes for Chicks". The Commercial Appeal. p. 29. Archived from the original on June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. 1 2 Stukenborg, Phil (March 4, 1989). "It's Time for Chicks Training". The Commercial Appeal. p. 36. Archived from the original on July 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ↑ "Chicks Take 1st-Half Title". The Jackson Sun . Fort Mill: The Associated Press. June 15, 1990. p. 17. Archived from the original on June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ↑ Stukenborg, Phil (September 7, 1990). "Chicks Take Quick Lead, West Title". The Commercial Appeal. Birmingham. p. 27. Archived from the original on June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ↑ Stukenborg, Phil (September 16, 1990). "'90 Chicks: Call Them Champions". The Commercial Appeal. p. 45. Archived from the original on June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ↑ Williams, David (July 4, 1990). "Conine, McRae Join All-Stars". The Commercial Appeal. The Associated Press. p. 35. Archived from the original on July 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ↑ Stukenborg, Phil (January 7, 1992). "Chicks Introduce Manager". The Commercial Appeal. p. 23. Archived from the original on July 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. 1 2 "Brian Poldberg Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on November 12, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  47. 1 2 "Tom Poquette Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on May 30, 2025. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  48. ↑ "Chicks Set Preseason Schedule". The Commercial Appeal. February 9, 1994. p. 42. Archived from the original on July 10, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. 1 2 "Ron Johnson Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on February 22, 2025. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  50. ↑ "Chicks Sign Development Deal with Padres". The Jackson Sun. Jackson. September 15, 1994. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
  51. 1 2 "Jerry Royster Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  52. ↑ Stukenborg, Phil (October 20, 1994). "Royster: Chicks Are Step to Bigs". The Commercial Appeal. p. 32. Archived from the original on July 10, 2025.
  53. ↑ Starks, Larry (June 15, 1995). "Chicks Finally Wrap Up 1st-Half Division Crown". The Commercial Appeal. Huntsville. p. 31. Archived from the original on June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  54. ↑ Starks, Larry (September 11, 1995). "Chicks' Game 5 Collapse Mirrors Season". The Commercial Appeal. Chattanooga. p. 19. Archived from the original on July 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. ↑ Starks, Larry (November 2, 1995). "Royster Goes to AAA; Chicks to Get Romero". The Commercial Appeal. p. 33. Archived from the original on July 10, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  56. 1 2 "Ed Romero Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on December 9, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  57. ↑ "Chicks Clinch Crown". The Commercial Appeal. Chattanooga. June 16, 1996. p. 33. Archived from the original on June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  58. ↑ Starks, Larry (September 8, 1996). "Chicks Beaten by Bunt". The Commercial Appeal. Chattanooga. p. 39. Archived from the original on June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  59. ↑ Stukenborg, Phil (July 8, 1996). "Chicks Trio Set for Class-AA All-Star Game". The Commercial Appeal. p. 24. Archived from the original on July 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  60. 1 2 "Brundage Named to Chicks' Helm". The Commercial Appeal. November 22, 1996. p. 40. Archived from the original on July 10, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  61. 1 2 "Dave Brundage Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  62. ↑ "Memphis, Tennessee Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Archived from the original on June 7, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  63. ↑ "Memphis Wins Season Finale". The Jackson Sun . Jackson. September 2, 1997. p. 2C. Archived from the original on June 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
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