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Spencer for Hire
Tom Spencer Tabbed as New Redbirds SkipperMemphis, TN- Former Chicago White Sox outfielder and 1999 International League (AAA) Manager of the Year Tom Spencer has been named the new manager of the Memphis Redbirds.
Spencer will take over for Gaylen Pitts, who had managed the club since its inception in 1998 before resigning his post following the 2002 season.
"I'm so excited to be a part of an organization that has a tradition as great and as storied as the St. Louis Cardinals," the 51-year-old Spencer said. "Memphis is the showcase of minor league baseball and it's going to be tremendous to be able to perform in front of a packed house on a nightly basis."
Tom spent last season as the outfield coordinator for the Arizona Diamondbacks after spending the previous five managing at the Triple-A level, including stops at Nashville (1997), Calgary (1998), Charlotte (1999) and Tucson (2000-2001).
"It has been great being so close to home the last few years (in Tucson), but my philosophies are so close to what Bruce (Manno) is trying to do within the organization and with Memphis being one of the top organizations in all of minor league baseball... the interview was a breeze," said Spencer, who played for Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa in Knoxville in 1978.
"Obviously we're thrilled with the hiring of Tom Spencer to be our Memphis manager," said St. Louis Cardinals Director of Player Development Bruce Manno. "He's clearly someone that impressed us and we feel very comfortable with him. He brings a vast amount of experience in both managing and teaching and he has major league experience. We feel that he'll be a perfect fit for our program and for what we are attempting to accomplish in the minor leagues."
Spencer has a total of 10 years experience managing clubs on all levels of professional baseball, from Rookie League to Triple-A, since taking over Asheville of the South Atlantic League in 1983. He has also spent five seasons coaching first and third base in the major leagues with Cleveland (1988-89), the New York Mets (1991) and the Houston Astros (1992-93).
The Gallipolis, Ohio native managed the Cannons to the PCL Championship Series in 1998 and won the aforementioned IL Manager of the Year Award after guiding Charlotte to a championship in his first year in the league the following season.
Spencer's hiring comes just over a month after the Redbirds named Dave Chase president and general manager and three weeks prior to baseball's Winter Meetings in Nashville.
"Tom has successfully managed at every level of the minor league ladder, from the New York-Penn League to the Pacific Coast League. His experience assures the Redbirds of a solid performance in the dugout and on the field," said Chase. "We're looking forward to our future with Tom at the helm."
Tom and his wife Linda have a 17-year-old daughter, K.C.
A 20th round-selection of the Cincinnati Reds in 1968, Spencer hit .274 with 76 home runs and 503 RBI over an eleven-year minor league career before making his major league debut with the White Sox in 1978.
