BOBBY’S BEST
Thunder’s Mitchell named EL Manager of the Year
TRENTON » Shortly after the Thunder won their 90th game of the season, Bobby Mitchell got a call from Yankees Vice President of Player Development Gary Denbo to inform him of a pair of roster moves. Before Denbo hung up the phone, he snuck in a quick congratulations on the milestone victory.
Perhaps another call is in order on Sunday.
Mitchell was named the Eastern League Manager of the year, joining DeMarlo Hale (1999) and Tony Franklin (2012) as the third Thunder skipper to win the award.
General manager Jeff Hurley presented Mitchell with the award in the team’s clubhouse prior to the first game of a doubleheader against Reading.
“There are a lot of good managers in this league, so it makes it even better to have everybody recognize what we have done as a team,” Mitchell said. “It’s a situation where, in my opinion, because of the work, the (win-loss) record, we could have won a lot of awards throughout this team. This is just one of them that is an indication of what we’ve done as a team throughout the year.”
The Thunder entered play Sunday night with a 91-46 record, their best since becoming the Yankees affiliate in 2003, and two wins away from setting a new franchise record for victories in a season. Hale’s 1999 team, affiliated with the Red Sox, went 92-50.
Mitchell has downplayed the significance of that record the last two weeks and deflected any credit toward the coaching staff and players.
“He’s demanded perfection from us and that’s kind of what we’ve responded with,” outfielder Zack Zehner said. “We’ve worked really hard to get to this point. He’s been the driving force behind it all.”
Mitchell has also compiled the highest two-year winning percentage in franchise history, guiding the club to a 178-101 record (.638) and a pair of playoff appearances.
“The biggest thing is his consistency with his day to day approach with our guys,” hitting coach Tommy Slater said. “He’s a joy to work for because he lets everyone do their job. If you watch us play, we’ve had a lot of different players here, and he’s just got a calming effect on all the guys.”
Sixty-nine different players, including MLB rehabs, have appeared in a game for the Thunder this summer.
“The players come up, they go down and move in and out, but he’s the steady guiding hand at the top,” Slater said. “It’s fun to come to work everyday. He’s got a great sense of humor, he’s fun to be around and the players get better under him.”
That, for Mitchell, is what’s most important.
“The main thing is getting guys to the next level,” Mitchell said. “Most teams in 162-game season don’t win 90 games, so I think it is gratifying and noticed by the (Yankees) how well we performed as a team.”