Mudcats Announce 2008 Field Staff

Zebulon, NC ---- A first-of-its-kind manager highlights the Carolina Mudcats' official announcement of its field staff for the 2008 Southern League season.  

The Florida Marlins have named Matt Raleigh as the Mudcats' first-year manager, the 16th in club history.  Raleigh becomes the first to ever play, coach and manage for Carolina in the franchise's history.  Raleigh, who spent the past two seasons out of the pro game, enters his 15th season in baseball.  Raleigh was signed as a mid-season free agent in 1999, joining the Mudcats as a third baseman.  Four years later, Raleigh was the hitting coach serving on Tracy Woodson's Southern League championship squad that was highlighted by Miguel Cabrera and Adrian Gonzalez.   

Another familiar face rejoins the Carolina staff, with Raleigh's former hitting coach in '99, Theron Todd returning to the Mudcats.  Todd was Carolina's hitting coach each of the four years during the Mudcats' affiliation with the Colorado Rockies, last coaching with the Idaho Falls Chukars of the Pioneer League in 2005-06.  Todd worked astutely with major league stars Juan Pierre, Matt Holliday and Chone Figgins during his tenure with the Mudcats.   

Scott Mitchell will return as Carolina's pitching coach for the third time in four seasons.  Mitchell broke in with the Mudcats in 2005 under manager Gary Allenson, working with a talented crop of young pitchers including Josh Johnson and Scott Olsen.  Mitchell guided another strong staff last season, highlighted by Rick Vanden Hurk, Daniel Barone and Chris Seddon, all of whom impacted the Florida Marlins' staff.     

Ben Heimos also will return to the training room for his second season with Carolina and his fourth in the Marlins' organization.   

The Mudcats announced last week hosting of the July 14th Southern League All-Star Game, and will open the regular season on the road at Mobile on Thursday, April 3rd.  Carolina's home opener is Wednesday, April 9th at 7:15 PM ET against the Montgomery Biscuits.   

For additional information on this release, please contact Patrick Kinas, Director of Broadcasting, at 919-269-2287.