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Saturday, September 17, 2022

Mitch Seoane played in minors, then managed there with respect from his players


The Angels moved their Midwest League club from Quad City to Cedar Rapids in 1993 and they brought with them their manager the previous year, Mitch Seoane, The Cedar Rapids Gazette wrote.

Angels director of minor league operations Bill Bavasi explained to The Gazette who the new club was getting in Seoane.

"He's a quiet guy, so you're not getting Tommy Lasorda," Bavasi told The Gazette. "With Mitch, think you definitely see someone who's dedicated to the job, a no-nonsense type of guy as far as work goes. He definitely has the respect of his players."

Seoane had once been a player himself, through five seasons with the Yankees and Angels systems. He topped out at AA. He then went on to a post-playing career, as a minor league coach and manager, and even as a batting practice pitcher.

Seoane's career in baseball began in 1983, signed by the Yankees as a free agent out of the University of Miami.

Seoane started as a player at single-A Greensboro. He played his first full season in 1984 between Greensboro and single-A Fort Lauderdale. He hit .255 on the year in 114 games.

He split 1985 between Fort Lauderdale and AA Albany-Colonie. He moved to the Angels for 1986 at single-A Palm Springs before ending his career with eight final games in 1987 at AA Midland.

Seoane then started his coaching career by 1989, with the Angels at Quad City. He turned manager there in 1991. He then managed at Cedar Rapids in 1993 and at high-A Lake Elsinore from 1994 to 1996.

In May 1995, Seoane spoke with The Temecula Californian about his improved bullpen leading to a winning streak.

"I've always said that the key to winning is pitching and defense," Seoane told The Californian. "I think our pitching is strong and along with it, our defense has been better."

Seoane managed at AA Midland in 1997, then AAA Vancouver for 1998. In 2001, he moved to the Yankees and single-A Greensboro. From 2006 to 2008, he was credited as Yankees batting practice pitcher, his most recent credits.

1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:4,029
Made the Majors:1,339-33.2%
Never Made Majors:2,690-66.8%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:547
10+ Seasons in the Minors:332

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