American Association Daily provides insights, features, and recaps of the action from around the American Association of Professional Baseball League, as well as player and coaching profiles and transactions. In today’s edition, Robert Pannier writes about the official announcement of Greg Tagert as the Manager of the Winnipeg Goldeyes.

Greg Tagert Addresses New Job

Greg Tagert was officially announced by Winnipeg Goldeyes President Sam Katz as the fourth manager in franchise history. In a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, the Goldeyes President talked about the process of finding a new manager after legendary skipper Rick Forney stepped aside to take a position in the Atlantic League so he could be closer to his family.

Katz explained that there were numerous candidates who were interested in the position, many with extremely impressive credentials. This included former Major League Baseball managers, as well as skippers from other partner leagues, including the Atlantic League, the Frontier League, and the American Association. It also included several former Goldeyes players, who looked to return to the team to manage the club.

However, Katz explained that he had actually reached out to Greg Tagert to gauge his interest in the Goldeyes position. The President explained that his new skipper was apprehensive about taking the position, happy serving within the San Francisco Giants organization. However, Tagert seemed to leave the door open to taking the position with one afterthought, telling Katz “but this is the Winnipeg Goldeyes.”

That clearly left the possibility that Tagert would be open to the job, and eventually he did agree to the position, becoming the manager on December 22, 2022.

A Golden Opportunity Not to Be Ignored

While apprehensive, at least at first, about taking the job, Greg Tagert explained that this was a unique opportunity he wanted to take advantage of. “This was just an offer that was too good to be true.” Tagert explained that this is the first time that he has ever managed an established franchise, being the first-year skipper for seven different teams through three different leagues, including the Frontier League, the Prairie League, and the former Northern League.

For Goldeyes fans, Tagert made it clear that the nature of independent baseball means that there will likely be some changes to the lineup. He described how players move or choose to retire, have their contract purchased, or leave for other reasons. However, he did reach out to American Association Player of the Year Max Murphy already, as well as several other players from the 2022 roster, preparing to keep intact a lineup that finished second in homeruns (136) and tied for third in runs scored (587).

A Season to Be Remembered

Gerg Tagert addressed the fact that the Winnipeg Goldeyes have struggled since winning the 2017 title, reaching the playoffs just one time in the last five seasons. The pressure may be even greater because this is the 30th anniversary season for the Goldeyes, and there is no denying that fans and management want to see this team make the season an even bigger celebration.

American Association Transactions

January 10, 2023

Gary SouthShore: Signed RHP Matt Leon
Sioux Falls: Signed OF Mike Hart

January 9, 2023

Lincoln: Signed C Luke Roskam