Former NYPL manager takes over Scrappers

June 15, 2016 at 12:06a.m.

Rodriguez managed against MV in 1999

Edwin Rodriguez certainly has fond memories of Eastwood Field.

It was in September of 1999 when Rodriguez last visited the stadium, but the circumstances are worth remembering. Rodriguez was a first-year manager of the Hudson Valley Renegades and his team came to the Mahoning Valley and defeated the Scrappers in the first game of the New York-Penn League championship series.

Hudson Valley returned home and lost game two, but went on to capture the league title in the best-of-three series.

“That was a very special season, it was a great introduction to managing,” Rodriguez said. “I remember the Mahoning Valley crowd being extremely energetic. It was a fun time and a rewarding season for me personally.”

In the 17 years since, Rodriguez has managed at every level of professional baseball. He has also managed the Puerto Rican National Team and in 2010 he became the first Puerto Rican-born manager in major league history with the Florida Marlins.

Rodriguez has returned to the Mahoning Valley, this time in a Scrappers uniform. Rodriguez has been with the Cleveland Indians organization since 2012. He managed Class-A Carolina in 2012 and AA Akron in 2013. He was a special assistant in the organization in 2014 and 2015, then was named the Scrappers’ manager earlier this year.

“It’s exciting to get back on the field and involved in the game itself,” Rodriguez said. “I love to manage. I love to teach the game. I love the competition.”

“The New York-Penn League is a great place to manage. Very good talent, especially the pitching. It’s always been a well-respected and well-run league known for developing major league talent.”

Rodriguez, 55, was born and raised in Puerto Rico. There, he participated in a wide range of sports, including basketball and volleyball.

“My first love was track and field, but in Puerto Rico, you’re never too far from baseball,” Rodriguez said. “Though I loved sports, I was always more into academics. I was a pretty good student, and that was my main focus, even into college.”

An engineering major, Rodriguez was two years into his studies when he was drafted in 1980 by the New York Yankees. He played briefly for the Yankees in 1982, and with the San Diego Padres in 1983 and 1985.

Rodriguez began coaching shortly after his professional playing career ended in 1987. Following a one-year stint at Hudson Valley, he joined the Florida Marlins organization. He was the manager of the AAA affiliate in New Orleans in June of 2010 when the Marlins fired manager Fredi Gonzalez. Rodriguez was immediately named the Marlins’ interim manager, then given the job permanently five days later.

Florida went 46-46 under Rodriguez in 2010. However, the Marlins struggled to start the 2011 season, and Rodriguez resigned amid a nine-game losing streak.

At the time, Rodriguez had the support of his front office staff.

“I just felt like something wasn’t connecting, like everyone needed a change,” Rodriguez said. “Would I like to get back (to the majors)? Absolutely. I would love to manage. I would also consider being a coach on a staff under the right circumstances and with the right manager.”

For now, Rodriguez is more than content working with players, most whom are getting their first taste of professional ball. Having played and managed at every level, Rodriguez believes he will be able to relay invaluable lessons that reach far beyond the game itself.

“So much of baseball is mental, especially when you’re playing every day, “Rodriguez said. “These young players, they have to learn to have fun while at the same time know that this is work. This is a profession.”

“Most importantly, players must learn to respect the game. Respect the coaches, fans, umpires, teammates. Respect baseball and all that goes with it.”

Rodriguez also knows he must balance the act of molding players while trying to win ball games. When he was with the Marlins, it was all about winning. At the minor league level, the approach “is like night and day” when it comes to managing any specific ball game.

“Here’s the thing, it’s all about learning and developing players, that is the top priority even at the Triple-A level of the minor leagues,” Rodriguez said. “But you also want winning players. The Indians stress the importance of teaching these young men how to win. So yes, development comes first, but you also want to develop a winning atmosphere.”

Rodriguez and his new team begin play next Friday when the Scrappers open the season with a two-game home series against West Virginia.