Ingram becomes Miracle's manager

Second-year mentor replaces successful Marzan

By Chris Umpierre
Fort Myers News Press

The winningest manager in Fort Myers Miracle history will not return for the 2005 Florida State League season.

Jose Marzan, who had managed Fort Myers since 2000 and amassed 362 victories, was replaced by Ricardo Ingram on Tuesday, the club announced.

Ingram, 38, managed the Gulf Coast League Twins last season and was Fort Myers' hitting coach from 2000-2002.

Jeff Carter, who spent the last two seasons at Double-A New Britain, replaces Floyd Rayford as the Miracle's hitting coach.

Marzan will remain in the Minnesota Twins' organization, taking the newly created position of Latin American coordinator. He originally declined the job.

"I do consider it a step up," Marzan said. "The reason why I was reluctant to take it before was because I have a goal to reach the major leagues. I personally thought by doing this it would take me away from my goal.

"But I put all the pros and cons on a scale and I decided it would be a good challenge for me. I'm putting my ultimate goal on hold."

Marzan will be a roving instructor in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Fort Myers. When here, he will help Latin players on the GCL Twins.

Marzan was 362-325 in Fort Myers. Under Marzan's direction, the Miracle won two FSL Western Division regular-season titles: 2000 (second-half title) and 2003 (first-half crown).

Ingram went 32-26 in 2004 in the GCL — his first season as a manager.

"Shoot, I've got nothing but good things to say about Ricardo," Marzan said. "He really helped me be successful when he was my hitting coach. He complemented me well. How should I say this so it can go into the newspaper? I'm very serious about my job. I'm stern.

"Ricardo is a loose, outgoing guy. He has the right personality to be a manager in today's environment. He's like a Dusty Baker. He'll have fun, but when he needs to be strong, he will be."

A fourth-round selection of the Detroit Tigers in the 1987 draft, Ingram is excited about the opportunity.

"It will be a challenge for me to get the players through 140 games," Ingram said. "The fact I spent last season in the GCL will help me."