Lance Parrish Returns to Manage Whitecaps
Former major league baseball catcher of seven different teams,most notably the Detroit Tigers, Lance Parrish will return for the 2019 season to manage the West Michigan Whitecaps.
According to WOOD, the West Michigan Whitecaps announced Parrish's return Thursday.
Parrish has a ton of major league experience with 8 All-Star appearances, World Series Champion in 1984 with the Detroit Tigers, 3 time golden glove winner and 6 silver slugger awards.
Parrish also has quite a bit of coaching experience from being a catching coach for the Kansas City Royals, coach of the Los Angeles Dodgers Double-A team the San Antonio Missions, a third base coach for the Detroit Tigers.Plus he has worked with several minor league teams like the Ogden Raptors, the Great Lakes Loons and the Eerie Sea Wolves.
Last season Parrish and the Whitecaps had a record of 69-70 that included a playoff appearance. In the playoffs the Whitecaps swept the Great Lakes Loons kicking off the first round strong. The Whitecaps were knocked out of the playoffs after losing to the team that went on to become league champions, the Bowling Green Hot Rods.
Parrish's staff includes Hudsonville native John Vander Wal as hitting coach and for pitching coach former Detroit Tiger pitcher Willie Blair.
For those who are already thinking sunshine and no snow, the Whitecaps first game at Fifth Third Ballpark is all set against the South Bend Cubs on April 6th.