Dennis Holmberg has found nothing but success in his four years as manager of the Auburn Doubledays, winning four straight Pinckney Division titles and the 2005 team reaching the New York-Penn League championship series.
Despite the accolades, Holmberg’s job in Auburn isn’t done yet. On Tuesday, the Toronto Blue Jays announced Holmberg will return to manage the Doubledays for the 2006 season.
“I’m excited, I’m thrilled,” Holmberg said in a phone interview Tuesday night. “Auburn has always been a ’no place like home’ place for me. I have had that relationship since day one and it has just gotten bigger and better over the years.”
Holmberg led the 2005 Doubledays to a regular season record of 45-30 and most importantly, finally got over the hump and advanced past the first round of the NY-P League playoffs.
Auburn swept the Oneonta Tigers in the first round but was defeated in the championship series by the Staten Island Yankees.
“Every year is such a different year,” Holmberg said. “We’re always starting over from scratch. But we do what we can do, try to put ourselves in position to win ball games and develop ballplayers. If you can develop the players and win at the same time, everybody seems to be happy.”
Holmberg is a popular with the fans not just because of his passion for winning. The veteran skipper is anything but shy when it comes to interacting with fans. With his quirky behavior, his passion for Hawaiian garb and his close relationship with the Auburn faithful, Holmberg has remained a fan favorite since his arrival in 2002.
“We’ve won ball games, we’ve done well attendance-wise,” he said. “There’s some very good people (in Auburn) that are very meaningful to this team. It’s a good baseball town. It’s a great city with great people.”
In his four seasons with the Doubledays, Holmberg’s regular-season record is 198-101. He also recorded his 1000th career win during the 2004 season.
“Auburn’s just been dear to my heart,” Holmberg said. “I broke into the (NY-P) league in 1970 as a player and feel like I’ve come full circle a bit.”
Holmberg, who spends his off-season at his Florida home, was excited to hear of his return to the Doubledays and says it’s a perfect way to begin the holidays
“It’s a nice Christmas present,” he said. “I’m happy, I’m excited. I enjoy doing what I do and enjoy doing what I do at that level.
The Doubledays also announced the addition of a new pitching coach and a new athletic trainer. Antonio Caceres joins the Doubledays as a pitching coach after serving two years in rookie A affiliate Pulaski.
Shawn McDermott is the team’s new trainer. He worked in the Blue Jays’ minor league offices until serving as an assistant trainer for the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State league during the second half of last season.
“I’m excited, I’m thrilled,” Holmberg said in a phone interview Tuesday night. “Auburn has always been a ’no place like home’ place for me. I have had that relationship since day one and it has just gotten bigger and better over the years.”
Holmberg led the 2005 Doubledays to a regular season record of 45-30 and most importantly, finally got over the hump and advanced past the first round of the NY-P League playoffs.
Auburn swept the Oneonta Tigers in the first round but was defeated in the championship series by the Staten Island Yankees.
“Every year is such a different year,” Holmberg said. “We’re always starting over from scratch. But we do what we can do, try to put ourselves in position to win ball games and develop ballplayers. If you can develop the players and win at the same time, everybody seems to be happy.”
Holmberg is a popular with the fans not just because of his passion for winning. The veteran skipper is anything but shy when it comes to interacting with fans. With his quirky behavior, his passion for Hawaiian garb and his close relationship with the Auburn faithful, Holmberg has remained a fan favorite since his arrival in 2002.
“We’ve won ball games, we’ve done well attendance-wise,” he said. “There’s some very good people (in Auburn) that are very meaningful to this team. It’s a good baseball town. It’s a great city with great people.”
In his four seasons with the Doubledays, Holmberg’s regular-season record is 198-101. He also recorded his 1000th career win during the 2004 season.
“Auburn’s just been dear to my heart,” Holmberg said. “I broke into the (NY-P) league in 1970 as a player and feel like I’ve come full circle a bit.”
Holmberg, who spends his off-season at his Florida home, was excited to hear of his return to the Doubledays and says it’s a perfect way to begin the holidays
“It’s a nice Christmas present,” he said. “I’m happy, I’m excited. I enjoy doing what I do and enjoy doing what I do at that level.
The Doubledays also announced the addition of a new pitching coach and a new athletic trainer. Antonio Caceres joins the Doubledays as a pitching coach after serving two years in rookie A affiliate Pulaski.
Shawn McDermott is the team’s new trainer. He worked in the Blue Jays’ minor league offices until serving as an assistant trainer for the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State league during the second half of last season.
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