Lynx Coaching Staff Set for 2007

OTTAWA - The same coaching staff that led Philadelphia's Triple-A affiliate in Scranton to an International League North Division title last season will be back to guide the 2007 edition of the Ottawa Lynx.

John Russell, 45, will be the 12th Manager in Lynx history. Russell has a career 611-579 record (.513 winning percentage) and three division titles in nine seasons as a Minor League manager. He has also spent three seasons on the Pittsburgh Pirates coaching staff. Russell played parts of 10 seasons in the Major Leagues with Philadelphia, Atlanta and Texas after being the Phillies' first-round pick in 1982. This won't be his first stint managing a Canadian team, having spent two seasons leading the Edmonton Trappers of the Pacific Coast League. Russell was named Minor League Manager of the Year after leading the Trappers to a Pacific Coast League Championship in 2002.

Sal Rende, 51, will enter his 4th season as the Hitting Coach for Philadelphia's Triple-A affiliate. In 12 seasons as a Manager, Rende won three league championships and was named Minor League Manager of the Year by the Sporting News in 1990 and won two more League Manager of the Year honours (1986 and 1990). Rende is another former Trappers Manager, having skippered the club in 1994 and 1995.

Rod Nichols, 41, enters his 8th season as a coach in the Phillies system when he becomes the Lynx Pitching Coach next season. Nichols spent parts of seven seasons pitching in the Major Leagues with Cleveland, Los Angeles and Atlanta. Last year, his pitching staff in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre led the International League in wins (84), ERA (3.28) and saves (51).

Shawn Fcasni, 26, takes over as the Lynx Athletic Trainer. He started out as an intern with the Phillies Gulf Coast League affiliate in 2002 before joining the Phillies full-time in 2003.

The Ottawa Lynx will open the 2007 season, their first season as the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, in Rochester on April 6. The Lynx home opener is scheduled for April 17 against the Charlotte Knights at 6:05pm. Ticket information can be found at www.ottawalynx.com or by calling 613 747-LYNX (5969).

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.