MANCHESTER, NH – The Toronto Blue Jays have announced the 2017 coaching staff for their Double-A affiliate, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and Gary Allenson has been named the team’s new manager for the 2017 All-Star season.
He will be joined by returning pitching coach Vince Horsman, new hitting coach Ronnie Ortegon and new position player coach Andy Fermin. Bob Tarpey returns for his eighth season as athletic trainer, while Brian Pike will enter his ninth year as strength and conditioning coach.
Allenson, 61, played for the Red Sox from 1979-1984 and for the Blue Jays in 1985. He has managed in the minor leagues for 23 years, including a season with the Fisher Cats (2013) and the Blue Jays Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo (2014-2016).
During his time in New Hampshire, Allenson managed current major leaguers Kevin Pillar, Marcus Stroman and Ryan Schimpf.
“Gary has a proven track record of developing young talent, and we’re fortunate to have him back,” said Fisher Cats President Mike Ramshaw. “We’re excited to have Vince, Bob and Brian join us for another season, and we look forward to working with Ronnie and Andy for the first time. 2017 is shaping up to be an unforgettable year, and we can’t wait to play ball on April 6.”
Allenson also has seven years of Major League coaching experience, working three years with the Red Sox (bullpen coach: 1992-1993, 3B coach: 1994), three with the Brewers (1B coach: 2000, 3B coach: 2001-2002) and one with the Orioles (3B coach: 2010).
Pitching coach Vince Horsman will return to the Fisher Cats for a second season. Last year, he helped develop Danny Barnes, Matt Dermody and Chris Smith, who all earned a call up to the major leagues by season’s end.
Hitting coach Ronnie Ortegon will begin his first year with the Fisher Cats and the Blue Jays organization. He most recently worked as the minor league hitting coordinator for the Atlanta Braves, which followed a brief stint as the assistant hitting coach for the Cincinnati Reds. Ortegon was the Reds minor league hitting coordinator from 2007-2012, and played in the California Angels organization from 1989-1990.
Andy Fermin also joins the Fisher Cats staff as a position player coach, making the transition from the diamond to the dugout. He spent the last seven years playing in the Blue Jays minor league ranks, making stops at six different levels in the system. Fermin appeared in a total of 55 games for New Hampshire in 2014 and 2015. His father, Felix Fermin, played for the Pirates, Indians, Mariners and Cubs from 1987-1996.
Bob Tarpey returns to New Hampshire for an eighth consecutive season as athletic trainer. He has been with the Blue Jays organization since 2006, spending time at each level on his way to Double-A. The York, Maine native was named the Minor League Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2014.
Gorham, N.H. native Brian Pike is back in his home state for a ninth season as strength and conditioning coach. He and Tarpey have worked together in New Hampshire since 2010.
The Fisher Cats and their new coaching staff open the 2017 season on Thursday, April 6, versus the recently renamed Binghamton Rumble Ponies (AA-New York Mets). On July 12, the team will host the 2017 Northeast Delta Dental Eastern League All-Star Classic at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, featuring the top prospects from each of the league’s 12 teams.
Fisher Cats full and half-season tickets are available now and feature a wide variety of benefits, including reserved seating for the 2017 Northeast Delta Dental Eastern League All-Star Classic, up to $100 in Fisher Cash, access to exclusive events like on-field batting practice, team autograph signings and more. Visit nhfishercats.com for more information.
