Stan Cliburn
Encyclopedia
Stanley Gene Cliburn is a retired professional baseball
player who played one season for the California Angels
of Major League Baseball
. He was most recently the manager of the Rochester Red Wings
, the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins
, from 2006 to 2009. Cliburn has also managed in the Arizona Fall League
and at other levels in the minor leagues. He is the twin brother of former Major League pitcher
Stu Cliburn, who remains a coach in the Twins' farm system. Cliburn is now in his first year as manager of the Sioux City Explorers, a team that plays in the American Association, an independent league.
, the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins
. His pitching coach at New Britain for those five seasons was Stu Cliburn, his twin brother. On October 18, 2005, Stan Cliburn was named as manager of the Rochester Red Wings
, the Triple-A affiliate of the Twins. Initially, it was believed that Stu would not be promoted along with Stan; however, both were promoted to Rochester for the season. In his first season at the helm in Rochester, Cliburn guided the Wings to a 79–64 record and came within one game of winning the Governors' Cup
, the championship of the International League
.
The 2006 season proved to be the most successful of Cliburn's tenure in Rochester. The team's record declined in each successive season following the playoff run, eventually falling to 70–74 in . Additionally, following the season, Stan was separated from Stu for the first time in eight years as Stu was reassigned to New Britain for 2009. On September 21, 2009, the Minnesota Twins announced that they would not renew manager Stan Cliburn's contract for the 2010 season. According to Twins farm director Jim Rantz
, the change was made as part of an "overall directional change that is being implemented throughout the minor-league system." Cliburn was ultimately replaced by Tom Nieto
. As of October 2009, Cliburn has not joined another organization.
In the fall of , Cliburn managed in the Arizona Fall League
(AFL). His team, the Phoenix Desert Dogs
, finished just 18–18 during the season; however, they won their division and defeated the Mesa Solar Sox
in the AFL championship game to capture Phoenix's fifth straight title.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player who played one season for the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. He was most recently the manager of the Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
, the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, from 2006 to 2009. Cliburn has also managed in the Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
and at other levels in the minor leagues. He is the twin brother of former Major League pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Stu Cliburn, who remains a coach in the Twins' farm system. Cliburn is now in his first year as manager of the Sioux City Explorers, a team that plays in the American Association, an independent league.
Coaching career
From to , Cliburn was the manager of the New Britain Rock CatsNew Britain Rock Cats
The New Britain Rock Cats are the Double-A minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club. They compete in the Eastern League and play their home games at New Britain Stadium in New Britain, Connecticut.-History:...
, the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. His pitching coach at New Britain for those five seasons was Stu Cliburn, his twin brother. On October 18, 2005, Stan Cliburn was named as manager of the Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
, the Triple-A affiliate of the Twins. Initially, it was believed that Stu would not be promoted along with Stan; however, both were promoted to Rochester for the season. In his first season at the helm in Rochester, Cliburn guided the Wings to a 79–64 record and came within one game of winning the Governors' Cup
Governors' Cup
The Governors' Cup is the trophy awarded each year to the champion of the International League, one of the two current Triple-A level minor leagues of Major League Baseball.-Governors' Cup history:...
, the championship of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
.
The 2006 season proved to be the most successful of Cliburn's tenure in Rochester. The team's record declined in each successive season following the playoff run, eventually falling to 70–74 in . Additionally, following the season, Stan was separated from Stu for the first time in eight years as Stu was reassigned to New Britain for 2009. On September 21, 2009, the Minnesota Twins announced that they would not renew manager Stan Cliburn's contract for the 2010 season. According to Twins farm director Jim Rantz
Jim Rantz
James John Rantz is an American front-office executive in Major League Baseball. Rantz has been the Minnesota Twins' farm system director since , holding the title of "Director of Minor Leagues." As of , his 25th consecutive season in the post, Rantz is one of the longest-tenured farm system...
, the change was made as part of an "overall directional change that is being implemented throughout the minor-league system." Cliburn was ultimately replaced by Tom Nieto
Tom Nieto
Thomas Andrew Nieto is a former Major League Baseball catcher and former manager of the Rochester Red Wings, the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Nieto previously served as the New York Mets' bench coach and catching instructor. A native of Downey, California, Nieto attended Oral Roberts...
. As of October 2009, Cliburn has not joined another organization.
In the fall of , Cliburn managed in the Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
(AFL). His team, the Phoenix Desert Dogs
Phoenix Desert Dogs
The Phoenix Desert Dogs are a baseball team that plays in the East Division of the Arizona Fall League located in Phoenix, Arizona. They play their home games at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, the spring training home of the Oakland Athletics...
, finished just 18–18 during the season; however, they won their division and defeated the Mesa Solar Sox
Mesa Solar Sox
The Mesa Solar Sox are a baseball team that plays in the East Division of the Arizona Fall League. They play their home games in Mesa, Arizona at HoHoKam Stadium, which is also the spring training facility of the Chicago Cubs....
in the AFL championship game to capture Phoenix's fifth straight title.