In a major shake up in the club management, team GM Sean Dawson announced
the firing of the team's manager and bench coach. In a surprise move the GM
of the Lynx announced that Floyd Hoerst would be the new manager in Laurel
for the 1998 season. The team was rumored to be in negoiations with Hoerst
late into the evening after the completion of the league draft. Insiders
who speculated that Hoerst would be signed as a bench player were stunned to
learn that he would be leading the young Lynx roster.
The Lynx GM stated that "we believed that Floyd was the kind of player who
always got the most out of his limited abilities ( 13 contact, 8 power, 13
speed), we hope that his dedication and effort will rub off on our younger
players"
Hoerst issued a brief statement indicating that he surprised at his
selection and was pleased with the opportunity in rebuilding Laurel, one of
the league's worst teams in 1997. In his first major decision as the
manager of the Lynx, Hoerst named another undrafted veteran catcher Mel
Wayne as his bench coach. Hoerst stated that "Mel and I have been close
friends though the years and share many beliefs regarding how a team should
be run." Wayne (7 contact, 14 power, and 10 speed) was unavailable for
comment.
The team's GM issued another statement regarding the needs of the Lynx.
"Currently we are really in need of help in the middle infield and in the
pen." Dawson indicated that many veterans would be available for help in
these areas.
The team took a great deal of criticism for drafting 18 year-old Todd Noel
with it's first round pick. Fans and the media were anticipating the
addition of a player who would be able to contribute immediately. Dawson
responded that the team has been looking towards 1999 ever since the team
moved to Laurel late in the 1997 season citing the trades of DH Jose Canseco
and 2B Mariano Duncan for young outfielders as an example. "We would like
to move some other older players to make room for the kids if any teams are
interested."
