Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE HALL OF FAMER JEFF MANTO NAMED PIRATES HITTING COACH
11.30.05 | Baseball
PITTSBURGH -- Jeff Manto, a Temple Hall of Famer, was named hitting coach by the Pittsburgh Pirates, the club announced last week. Manto, 41, joined the Pirates as a roving hitting instructor on Oct. 17, 2002, after managing Philadelphia's Class A Lakewood team in 2002 and serving as a coach with Lakewood in 2001. He played nine seasons in the Major Leagues from 1990-2000 with the Indians, Phillies, Orioles, Red Sox, Mariners, Tigers, Yankees and Rockies.
"When you're coaching, the one thing you want to do is get to the big leagues, and when it happens it's a pretty good feeling," Manto said. "I have to say it's quite different than as a player, though. The difference is the anxiety. I know what to expect."
The Bristol, Pa. native arrived in Owl Country in 1983 as a pitcher, but would make his mark with the bat. After appearing in 17.2 innings as a freshman hurler, Manto spent his next two seasons mashing opposing pitchers. As a senior, he batted .442 with 16 homeruns and 60 RBI and led Temple to the Atlantic 10 East regular season title. His .855 slugging percentage in 1985 is the best in program history.
Manto also has the best slugging percentage (.778) for a career and his .413 batting average is tied with John Marzano for tops all-time. He was drafted in the 14th round of the 1985 Major League Draft by the California Angels.
Manto's only previous big league coaching experience came when he was added to the Pirates staff last September at the conclusion of the Minor League season.
"Jeff has done a real nice job for us since he has been here," said Pirates GM Dave Littlefield. "He's a very hard worker. He has an effervescent personality that is combined with the fact that he's had a lot of experience at a variety of levels. He understands the Major Leagues. But yet, particularly with a lot of young players that we have, he relates well to the group that we have."
Manto is the first member of new manager Jim Tracy's coaching staff to be promoted from within the organization. Although the Pirates had considered several external options, Manto's experience working with many of the Bucs' current young hitters while they were in the Minor Leagues gave him the edge in the hiring process.
"Jim Tracy and I talked about a lot of different candidates and talked to some different people," said Littlefield. "We certainly researched thoroughly in regards to people we had interest in. As we evaluated a variety of people we thought were out there and were available, we felt that ultimately Jeff was the best choice."
"He's worked with a lot of our hitters who have come through the Minor Leagues and been successful," Littlefield added. "That's something that did come into play. I think this is a guy who has a very bright future. He's very well-respected."
Manto joins a trio of former Owls coaching in professional baseball. Joe Kerrigan was named bullpen coach for the New York Yankees earlier this fall and Dave Myers is a coach with the Everett AquaSox, the Seattle Mariners' Single-A affiliate. Pete Filson is currently the pitching coach for the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League.
