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Charlotte Knights
MLB Affiliate: Chicago White Sox
Years in IL: 10 Record: 657-622 Last Governors' Cup: 1999
2001 Finish: 67-77, fourth in South (-19.0)
Manager: Nick Capra (1st year) Career- 6 yrs. 317-304
Coaches: Kirk Champion (4th year); Greg Walker (1st year)
Stadium: Knights Stadium (10,000)
Probable Starters: 1B - Eric Battersby; 2B - Justin Baughman; 3B - Joe Crede; SS - Tim Hummel; C - Miguel Olivo; DH - Mark Dalesandro; LF - Jeff Inglin; CF - Darron Ingram; RF - Mike Zywica.
Key Pitchers: Starters - RH Matt Guerrier, RH Geronimo Mendoza, RH Mitch Wylie, RH Matt Ginter. Relievers - RH Edwin Almonte, LH Ken Vining, RH Ryan Kohlmeier, RH Steve Schrenk.
Items of Interest: The 2002 season will be the Knights' 10th as a Triple-A International League franchise. The Knights moved up from the Double-A ranks in 1993 as Cleveland Indians affiliate. After two seasons ('93-94) with the Indians, the Knights spent four years (1995-98) as a Florida Marlins farm team. They joined forces with the Chicago White Sox in 1999...New manager Nick Capra is the first former Knights' player to manage the team. Capra was an outfielder with the 1995 Knights' team, which was affiliated with the Florida Marlins. Capra batted .256 with nine homers, 51 RBIs and 22 stolen bases for the '95 Knights and appeared in the Triple-A All-Star Game.
Strengths of the Club: Pitching could be very good if young inexperienced hurlers come through...Veterans Vining and Schrenk should anchor bullpen...Addition of prospect Almonte strengthens bullpen...Left side of infield defense could be good with Crede at 3B and Hummel at SS.
