Jackets replace skipper 011808 - The Augusta Chronicle

Jackets replace skipper

By Billy Byler| Staff Writer

Friday, January 18, 2008

Andy Skeels will return to the Augusta GreenJackets coaching staff as the club's new manager when the season begins this spring.

The California native will replace Roberto Kelly, who will be the first base coach with the San Francisco Giants, the GreenJackets' major league affiliate.

"I'm very excited to be back in Augusta and really looking forward to the season," Skeels said in a press release. "We have a lot of young players that the fans are really going to enjoy watching. Hopefully we can continue to do a lot of the same things we have been doing over the past few years."

Skeels, an Arkansas product and 12-year Major League Baseball veteran, served as a manager in the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals organization for two years before coming to Augusta in 2006.

As hitting coach the past two years, Skeels helped Augusta finish third in batting in the South Atlantic League in 2006 (.271) and seventh in 2007 (.264).

Along with Skeels, pitching coach Ross Grimsley will also return. Newcomers Lipso Nava and Eric Ortega will serve as hitting coach and trainer, respectively, to round out the coaching staff.

The GreenJackets begin their 20th in Augusta on April 3 with a four-game home series against the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

Reach Billy Byler at (803) 648-1395 or billy.byler@augustachronicle.com.

From the Friday, January 18, 2008 edition of the Augusta Chronicle

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