National Post (National Edition)
COACH HOPED TO BE IN BIG LEAGUE BY AGE 40
DU N EDI N, FLA. • In his role as a minor league manager at multiple levels in the Toronto Blue Jays system, John Schneider always relished the opportunity of telling a young kid about a promotion.
So what was it like when first-year manager Charlie Montoyo called to tell Schneider that he wanted him on his big-league staff ? Given that he was at the hospital with his wife for the birth of their second child, it was quite a week for the couple.
Schneider was a natural addition for Montoyo, given the success he had in the minors, including an Eastern League title with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in 2018. The fact that he has been the chief groomer of future Jays such as Vlad Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio over the past couple of seasons was also working in his favour.
“It was always one of my goals to hopefully be in the big leagues when I was 40, and that’s one of the reasons I started (coaching) when I did,” said Schneider, who will turn 39 when workouts for the 2019 Jays begin officially on Thursday. “Plus I was not good enough to keep playing.
“I talked to (GM Ross At- kins) at the end of last year and was hopeful then thankful it became a reality. Timing is everything. I’ve been fortunate to get to know a lot of the young players.”
Schneider is one of the many, varied voices Montoyo added to his staff, a group that met here last month to plan and refine their approach for spring training. Schneider said that the wide range of experience has led to an enthusiasm and exchange of ideas.
“It was the first time we all met each other and when it was done, it was like we had known each other for a long time,” Schneider said. “It was a very cool vibe. You hear things every day. The (collaboration) is huge between the coaching staff, the front office, between athletic training.
“I know that’s what Ross has been preaching since Day 1.”
Schneider, who has worked mostly with minor league players in past camps, said there will be some noticeable differences under Montoyo when he makes his debut as a big-league manager this spring.
“The intensity at which we work is going to be a little different,” Schneider said. “You always play to your roster and we’ve been a very veteran team the last few years, but with the guys we have on the roster now, it allows us to do things a little bit different.”