Brad Komminsk to Return as Baysox Skipper
(from press release)
The Bowie Baysox, Class AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, have announced that Brad Komminsk will return for his third season as manager of the club in 2010 following a two-year stretch in which he led the club to their first playoff appearance in 11 seasons in 2008 and a third place finish in the Eastern League’s Southern Division in 2009.
Komminsk becomes just the second manager in Baysox history to start three seasons managing the club. He joins former manager Joe Ferguson who compiled a record of 215-211 while at the helm of the club from 1997-1999. Coincidentally, both mangers led their respective teams to the playoffs in the first year managing the Baysox.
Komminsk’s coaching resume includes time as the hitting and field coach for the (High-A) Clearwater Threshers in the Philadelphia Phillies organization during the 2007 season as well as eight seasons (1999-2006) with the Cleveland Indians organization. The Lima, OH native spent the 1999 season as manager of the (Low-A) Columbus Catfish. He was named Florida State League Manager of the year in 2001, leading the (High-A) Kinston Indians to the Carolina League’s Southern Division title.
In 2002, he split managing duties between Kinston and Akron (AA). With Akron, Komminsk led the Aeros to back-to-back Eastern League Southern Division titles in 2002 and 2003, helping Akron along the way to capturing the Eastern League Championship in 2003. Following his championship season, Komminsk was named the USA Today Sports Weekly Minor League Manager of the year. In 2002 Akron, with Komminsk at the helm, posted the most wins (93) in all of minor league baseball, earning him Eastern League Manager of the Year honors. He was also selected as a coach for the MLB All-Star Futures game in 2002 and 2003.
In his first year as Baysox manager in 2008, Komminsk was once again named as the Eastern League Manager of the Year when he led the Baysox to the playoffs for the first time since 1997 and a tie for the franchise record number of wins in a season (84).
Prior to coaching, Brad Komminsk spent parts of eight seasons as an outfielder in Major League Baseball. A first round draft pick (fourth overall) of the Atlanta Braves in 1979, Komminsk made his Major League debut with the Braves in 1983.
During his major league career, he played for the Braves (1983-1986), Brewers (1987), Indians (1989), Giants (1990), Orioles (1990), and Oakland (1991). Komminsk played in the White Sox Minor League system for two seasons (1992-1993), before playing in Italy in 1994 and 1995. Komminsk rounded out his career playing in one game for (Triple-A) Toledo in 1997, before becoming a coach. In 1983, Komminsk was named the International League Rookie of the Year with Richmond and in 1987 he led all of Triple-A baseball with 32 home runs for Denver, while playing in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Komminsk played in 46 games for the Orioles in 1990.
