14-year veteran of MLB was MVP 1987

The Reno Silver Sox, members of the Golden Baseball League, announced two-time major league all-star Jeffrey Leonard has been signed as the new field manager of the Silver Sox.

The 14 year major-league veteran returns to managing as he previously skippered both Single-A and Double-A teams in the Oakland Athletics organization and the Sonoma County Crushers in the independent Western League.

Leonard's award-winning career
Leonard, 52, was signed as an amateur free agent out of high school in 1973 by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He rose rapidly through their farm system as a complete player known both for his defense, leading the California League in outfield assists at Bakersfield, and his dominating presence at the plate as he led the AAA Pacific Coast League in hits and batting average while with the Albuquerque Dukes.

Joining the Dodgers in 1977 as a 21-year-old he began a 14-year major league career where he compiled almost 1500 hits and hit 144 home runs while playing for five teams, appearing in two National League Championship Series, was voted an all-star twice, finished in the National League MVP Top 20 voting twice, and had such an outstanding National League Championship Series in 1987 that he was voted MVP even though his Giants lost to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Leonard has coached and managed in the Oakland Athletics farm system, served as a hitting coach for the Montreal Expos, managed in the independent Western League, and has run a leading youth baseball academy in northern California.

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to manage and help develop professional baseball players” said Leonard. “Reno is a great city and the Silver Sox have quickly developed a strong tradition that I want to build on. I’m looking forward to managing a fine team, getting to know the community, and getting involved with the fans and with the Reno youth sports organizations as well.”

Leonard replaces Les Lancaster who took a managerial job with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association after his contract expired at the conclusion of the 2007 season.

About the Silver Sox
The Reno Silver Sox are one of six teams in the Golden Baseball League The third season begins 7 p.m. May 23 versus the Orange County Flyers.

The Reno Silver Sox has 2008 season ticket plans and schedule information available via the team’s websitewww.silversoxbaseball.com or by phone at (775) 348-7769.

About the Golden Baseball League
The Golden Baseball League, presented by Safeway Inc./VONS, is a professional baseball league operating in the western United States and Canada.

Golden Baseball League teams include:
Chico Outlaws, Chico, Calif., the Orange County Flyers, Fullerton, Calif.; the Long Beach Armada, Long Beach, Calif.; the St. George Roadrunners, St. George, Utah; Yuma Scorpions, Yuma, Ariz.; the Reno Silver Sox in Reno, Nev.; Calgary Vipers in Calgary, Alberta; and the Edmonton Cracker Cats in Edmonton, Alberta.

The season consists of 88 games per team, begins the in late May and ends in early September.

Each team will have a 22-player roster. The GBL has sent more than 70 players to major league organizations or top foreign leagues.