Boles will take over as Miracle manager

By David Dorsey
Fort Myers News Press

As Minnesota Twins officials scrambled to evacuate Fort Myers on Wednesday, the organization named Kevin Boles the new manager of the Fort Myers Miracle.

The Twins announced coaching staff changes throughout all levels of the minor leagues Wednesday, promoting former Miracle manager Riccardo Ingram to Double-A New Britain and promoting Naples High School graduate Jeff Smith to managing the low-Class A Beloit Snappers of the Midwest League.

Smith had been an assistant coach with the Gulf Coast League Twins.

Team officials decided to cancel organizational meetings scheduled for Saturday at the Lee County Sports Complex because of the threat of Hurricane Wilma.

Director of baseball operations Rob Anthony planned on flying back to Minnesota today. So did Twins general manager Terry Ryan.

"We're going to adjust and imrovise," Anthony said.

Ingram, who left Fort Myers for his Georgia home on Wednesday night, said he was thrilled with his promotion.

"It's a good deal," Ingram said. "The movement happens. It just so happens I was in the right spot at the right time."

Boles, 30, spent the past two seasons managing low-Class A Beloit and Quad Cities. He has a 236-228 record in five years of minor league managing. His father, John Boles, managed the Florida Marlins in 1996 and in 1999-2001.

"I'm very excited," Kevin Boles said. "With the guys we may have, I'm looking forward to watching them progress and move up. We had a bunch of hard workers. We had some guys with some talent."

"It's an exciting group to be a part of."

Miracle general manager Steve Gliner said he expected a smooth transition from Ingram to Boles.

"It's one of those situations where you'd hate to see somebody go," Gliner said. "But it's just like with the players. He was ready to move on.

"We're looking forward to working with Kevin."

Anthony said Boles should work out just fine for the Miracle.

"He's been around the game all his life," Anthony said. "He's a good guy and a good baseball man. He works hard, and the players like playing for him. He's got a lot of energy."