Durham Bulls Keep A Good Thing Going

Recently the Durham Bulls announced Bill Evers will return for a fourth season to manage the Durham Bulls. Evers became manager of the team when the Bulls stepped up the Triple-A division of minor league baseball in 1997.

Durham Bulls Manager Bill Evers

Evers said, "I certainly feel comfortable in Durham. The Bulls are good people to work for, and it's a great place to play and manage." He has a 244-186 record with Bulls and has led the team to the International League South Division title in each of its three seasons in AAA.

Forty-six year old Evers has a 1,012-856 record as minor league manager, surpassed the 1,000-win mark as a manager last season, and finished last season in second place on the active list. Evers has been with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization since it began in 1996 and has stepped up to coach with the Devil Rays major league team after the past two Durham Bulls seasons have closed.

Assistant General Manager Mike Birling said of the announcement, "Heck, we're excited! Obviously Bill has shown the leadership to take us to three straight South Division championships. With all the changes Tampa Bay has made with our roster, Bill keeps finding ways to win. It's always exciting."

Evers' entire field staff will return with him. Pitching Coach Joe Coleman will return for a second year with the Bulls, First Base Coach Mako Oliveras will be in his fourth season with the team, as will Hitting Instructor Paul Harker.

The Bulls will open their 2001 season at home on April 5 against the Richmond Braves.