Bill Haselman To Manage OKC Dodgers

Former Oklahoma City 89er Bill Haselman has been named the new Oklahoma City Dodgers manager, the club and Los Angeles Dodgers announced today.

Haselman, 49, spent the past two seasons managing in the Dodgers’ minor league system. In 2015, he led the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes to the team’s first California League championship since 1994 and tied for the California League South Division’s best regular-season record at 78-62. Prior to joining the Quakes, Haselman managed the Low-A Great Lakes Loons in 2014 in his first season with the Dodgers organization.

The 2016 season will mark Haselman’s sixth managing in the Minor Leagues and his first at Triple-A. He began his managerial career in 2010 with the High-A Bakersfield Blaze (Texas Rangers) and also managed the High-A Inland Empire 66ers (Los Angeles Angels) over the 2012 and 2013 seasons. In 2013, Haselman guided Inland Empire to a California League title.

Haselman also has Major League coaching experience, spending three seasons with the Boston Red Sox as their first base coach (2004, 2006) and bullpen coach (2005).

Over a 13-year Major League career, Haselman played primarily as a catcher for the Texas Rangers (1990, 1998, 2000-2002), Seattle Mariners (1992-1994), Boston Red Sox (1995-1997, 2003), and Detroit Tigers (1999). He appeared in 589 Major League games, accruing a .259 career average, with 47 home runs and 210 RBI.

Haselman was selected with the 23rd overall pick of the 1987 draft out of UCLA by the Rangers. Between 1991-1992, he appeared in 143 games with the Oklahoma City 89ers and spent the entire 1991 season in OKC.

Born in Long Branch, N.J., Haselman attended high school in Saratoga, Calif. before matriculating to UCLA, where he played both baseball and football. He currently resides in Newcastle, Wash. with his wife and two children.

The remainder of the 2016 Oklahoma City Dodgers coaching staff will be announced at a later date.

The defending American Northern Division Champion OKC Dodgers begin the 2016 season April 7 in Nashville and will host their home opener April 15.