A member of Northrop’s 1983 state championship team as a catcher, he also won an NCAA title at Wichita State in 1989 while receiving All-American honors. After his playing career
ended in 1997 because of injuries, he became a manager in the Cleveland Indians’ farm system and was named boss of the big club in 2003. He led the Indians to the 2007 playoffs
and was named American League Manager of the Year. He managed the Indians through 2009, and then managed the Seattle Mariners from 2011-13. He’s currently a player development
adviser to the Toronto Blue Jays.