Tony Franco, in his first year as the manager of the Quebec Lumberjacks, was named the BL Manager of the Year in the Charley Pegler League. Franco led his squad to an 82-49 record and the CPL Championship. It has been a great month for Franco as he was recently inducted into the Calgary Pioneers Hall of Fame.
Franco, a 19 year vet with Calgary, was known as one of the best fielding third baseman in BBA history, winning 8 Zimmer Awards. He ended his playing career with 2621 hits and 409 home runs. Franco played more games for the Pioneers than any other player in the team’s history.
“This one should go to the players,” Franco said. “They are the ones that brought home this championship. Plus I had a lot of help from Steve and Bryan.”
Steve, is Steve Thomas, the pitching coach in Quebec and longtime Calgary hurler. Bryan Vogel is the team’s hitting coach and played in the Calgary infield with Franco.
Quebec's Franco Voted BL's #1 Skipper
Monday, October 4th, 2038
Just about any objective fan of the Quebec Lumberjacks would have to admit that Tony Franco is worthy of the Baxter League Manager of the Year Award. But it wasn't that way at first.
"In the beginning it was rocky," noted Franco, "The fans really gave it to me. Somewhere along the line we just began putting things together, picking up a win here and there, and morphing into a team--not just a bunch of guys doing their own thing."
Franco paced the Lumberjacks to a first place finish in the Baxter League Northeast. Quebec wound up the season with a 82-49 record.
As for next year, Franco said, "We're always tweaking things, trying to improve the club. You don't rest after winning awards. I'm here to make the Lumberjacks a perennial powerhouse."
