MANCHESTER, NH — On Wednesday, the Toronto Blue Jays announced that former Fisher Cats catcher John Schneider will be the New Hampshire Fisher Cats manager for the 2018 season as the ninth manager in team history.
Schneider, who will turn 38 on February 14, becomes the youngest manager in Fisher Cats history, and is the first former Fisher Cat to return as the team’s manager.
Originally drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2001, Schneider spent five years in the minor leagues, rising as high as Triple-A Syracuse during stints in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
He played for New Hampshire in parts of 2006 and 2007, appearing in a total 62 games for the Fisher Cats.
After retiring, Schneider became a catching instructor before becoming a manager in 2009.
In his managerial career, he won league championships with the 2011 Vancouver Canadians and the 2016 Dunedin Blue Jays.
In addition to Schneider, the Blue Jays also announced the return of pitching coach Vince Horsman and position player coach Andy Fermin while also introducing athletic trainer Drew MacDonald, strength and conditioning coach Ryan Maedel and hitting coach Hunter Mense.
The Fisher Cats season begins in Hartford on April 5, with the Fisher Cats’ home opener scheduled for April 13, also against Hartford.
