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Brian Butterfield, the former Orono High School three-sports star and University of Maine second baseman, will manage the Tampa Yankees in the Class A Florida State League this season.
He had been the third base coach for the National League’s Arizona Diamondbacks, but he became expendable when manager Buck Showalter was fired.
Butterfield had spent 17 years in the Yankee organization, including time as the first base coach for the AL club, before going to Arizona.
“I told Jan [his wife] that if I couldn’t be in the big leagues, this is the organization I want to be with,” said the 44-year-old Butterfield. “I know the people in charge, they’re first class, and that makes it a lot easier.”
Butterfield was referring to Mark Newman, the vice president in charge of baseball operations for the parent club, and Rob Thomson, the director of player development.
“Things are pretty exciting. It’s a good situation. We have a lot of good young players and a good coaching staff,” said Butterfield, who has Billy Masse as his hitting coach and Rick Tomlin as pitching coach.
“The Yankees have a great scouting department and the players we have seem to be good kids,” Butterfield said. “Character seems to matter in this organization while some other organizations sign kids who simply have tools.”
He added that most of his players have “at least been through one spring training and a 142-game season” prior to this season.
The season opener is April 5.
“People within the organization have asked me what I want to do. I enjoy coaching third base [at the major league level] and working with small groups of players on base-running and infield play.
“Managing has never been a big passion of mine, but maybe it will become that. I’m going to enjoy this the best I can and do the best job I can. Maybe I’ll have a change of heart toward managing,” said Butterfield, who formerly managed Fort Lauderdale in the Florida State League in the early 1990s.
“I’ve got a lot to prove to myself and to people within the organization. I was pretty volatile as a young guy, six or seven years ago. But I think I’ve changed for the better,” said Butterfield, whose wife is a total image consultant for the LPGA Tour.
They are in the process of building a house in Standish to be near their families in the offseason.
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