Ricardo Ingram Named New Miracle Manager

By Sean Aronson
Fort Myers Miracle

FORT MYERS, FL -- Jose Marzan, manager of the Fort Myers Miracle for the last five years, is being replaced by a familiar face, Ricardo Ingram. Ingram will be joined by new hitting coach Jeff Carter, pitching coach Eric Rasmussen and trainer Larry Bennese.

Marzan was the winningest manager in Miracle franchise history. He claimed two division titles in his five seasons and finished with a 362-325 record. Marzan will continue his affilation with the Twins, taking over the newly created position of Latin American coordinator.

The 38-year-old Ingram spent the 2004 season as the manager of the GCL Twins, guiding his club to a 32-26 record. Ingram spent three seasons as hitting coach of the Miracle from 2000-2002. He also was hitting coach at Double-A New Britain (2003) and Single A Quad Cities (1999).

“I think this is a great opportunity for me to be with the Miracle,” said Ingram. “I have seen this league as a coach and a player. It will be a challenge for me to get the players through 140 games. The fact I spent last season in the GCL will help me because I know what to expect with the temperature and the weather.”

Ingram was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the fourth round of the June 1987 draft from Georgia Tech. He played two seasons in the Major League’s with the Tigers (1994) and the Minnesota Twins (1995). He played in 16 games over those two seasons and hit .194 with three RBI.

He resides in Lilburn, GA with his wife Allison and daughters Kacey and Kristen.

The 41-year-old Carter takes over for Floyd Rayford, who is now the hitting coach at Double-A New Britain. Carter returns to a post he previously held back in 1998, as hitting coach of the Miracle. He spent the last two seasons as hitting coach with the Twins Double-A New Britain Rock Cats. He had a managerial stint in 2000 with the Elizabethton Twins.

Carter played 12 seasons in the minor leagues as an infielder and outfielder from 1985-96. He was named to the Texas League All-Star team in 1989 and finished his career hitting .279 with 30 homers and 487 RBI in 1301 games.

He currently resides in Mesa, AZ with his son Jeff Jr.

The 52-year old Rasmussen returns for his seventh consecutive season with the Miracle and ninth overall. He guided the Miracle pitching staff to the eighth best ERA in the FSL at 3.89. Over the last couple of years he has seen his pitchers move through the organization rapidly, including two pitchers from the 2003 team. J.D. Durbin and Jesse Crain donned Twins uniforms in 2004.

Rasmussen was a 32nd round selection of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973 and played eight seasons in the Major Leagues. He went 50-77 with a 3.85 ERA in 238 games. He hurled 27 complete games and struck out 489 in 1017.2 innings pitched.

Rasmussen resides in Cape Coral with his wife Linda, twin sons Derek and Brock, and Michael.

The 39-year-old Bennese begins his seventh season as athletic trainer for the Miracle. He was named the FSL trainer of the year in 1995 (St. Lucie), 1999-2001 and 2003 (Miracle). He began his career with the St. Lucie Mets from 1990-95 and was the rehabilitation coordinator for Twins minor league complex in 1996. He resides in Cape Coral with his wife Jann, children Mario and Clara.