The Huntsville Times
The Huntsville Phantoms have hired a new manager for their single-A level affiliate, the Grand Junction Gold Sox, replacing Ian Botham who retired at the conclusion of the minor league season.
Eduardo Martinez
“Eduardo is a student of sabermetrics and not afraid to use advanced analytics in making decisions, which we appreciate,” Pruitt said. “He also does well working with young players, and has a reputation as hard worker. We think he’ll set the right example for our young players.”
Analysts say Martinez has one other attribute that made him attractive to Huntsville: he’s waaaayyyyy cheaper than Botham, who earned $410,000 last season.
Regardless, Martinez clearly relishes the chance to manage a professional team.
“This is a marvelous opportunity for me to show what I can do,” said Martinez, who has coached primarily at the high school and college levels before now. “My top priority will be to help our players grow and develop into major league talent.”
Botham, 64 – a former outfielder who played between 1995-2008 for California and Omaha, among other teams – compiled a 116-142 record in his two years at Grand Junction. His most notable managerial experience came with the now-defunct European Baseball Alliance, where he won Manager of the Year in 2028 when he led the London Bishops to the playoffs with a record of 88-75.
