Mal Fichman
Encyclopedia
Mal Fichman is a minor league manager notable for leading multiple championship teams in the Frontier League
in the mid-to-late 1990s.
He first became a minor league manager in 1979, heading the Newark Co-Pilots
. In 1980, he led the Rocky Mount Pines
to a 24-114 record. He next managed in 1987, replacing Derrel Thomas
of the Boise Hawks
. He managed the Hawks until 1989. In 1990, he managed the Erie Sailors
and in 1991 he managed the Reno Silver Sox
.
Fichman next managed the Duluth-Superior Dukes in 1993. He won his first of three consecutive league championships in 1994, leading the Erie Sailors
to victory. In 1995, he led the Johnstown Steal to triumph, and in 1996 he led the Springfield Capitals to a championship. He managed the Capitals again in 1997 and 1998, leading them to a league championship in the latter season. He last managed the Johnstown Johnnies in 1999, leading them to the playoffs. They lost in the first round.
In a span of five years, Fichman led his team to a league championship four times.
Following his tenure as a manager, he began scouting the independent leagues for talent to be signed by major league teams. He scouted for the San Diego Padres
and Philadelphia Phillies
, signing in excess of 167 players.
Frontier League
The Frontier League, based in Sauget, Illinois, is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the Midwestern United States, Western Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario. It operates mostly in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is not affiliated with either...
in the mid-to-late 1990s.
He first became a minor league manager in 1979, heading the Newark Co-Pilots
Newark Co-Pilots
The Newark Co-Pilots were a minor league baseball team based in Newark, New York that played in the New York-Penn League from 1968 to 1979. They were affiliated with the Seattle Pilots from 1968 to 1969 and with the Milwaukee Brewers from 1970 to 1978. They were independent in 1979. Their home...
. In 1980, he led the Rocky Mount Pines
Rocky Mount Pines
The Rocky Mount Pines were a Minor League Baseball team located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina that competed in the Class A Advanced Carolina League for the 1980 season. The Pines competed as an independent, unaffiliated with any Major League Baseball franchise, and played their home games at then...
to a 24-114 record. He next managed in 1987, replacing Derrel Thomas
Derrel Thomas
Derrel Osborn Thomas is a former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball primarily as a second baseman, center fielder, and shortstop from 1971-85...
of the Boise Hawks
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks are a minor league baseball team, located in Boise, Idaho. The team is currently a farm team for the Chicago Cubs and play in the Short-Season Class A Northwest League.-History:...
. He managed the Hawks until 1989. In 1990, he managed the Erie Sailors
Erie Sailors
The Erie Sailors was the name of several minor league baseball teams that played in Erie, Pennsylvania between 1906 and 1994.-Pre-1930s:Several unrelated teams used the Erie Sailors name in the Interstate League , the Ohio-Pennsylvania League , and the Central League .-1938-1963:During these years,...
and in 1991 he managed the Reno Silver Sox
Reno Silver Sox
The Reno Silver Sox were a professional baseball team based in Reno, Nevada, in the United States. They were a member of the North Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
.
Fichman next managed the Duluth-Superior Dukes in 1993. He won his first of three consecutive league championships in 1994, leading the Erie Sailors
Erie Sailors
The Erie Sailors was the name of several minor league baseball teams that played in Erie, Pennsylvania between 1906 and 1994.-Pre-1930s:Several unrelated teams used the Erie Sailors name in the Interstate League , the Ohio-Pennsylvania League , and the Central League .-1938-1963:During these years,...
to victory. In 1995, he led the Johnstown Steal to triumph, and in 1996 he led the Springfield Capitals to a championship. He managed the Capitals again in 1997 and 1998, leading them to a league championship in the latter season. He last managed the Johnstown Johnnies in 1999, leading them to the playoffs. They lost in the first round.
In a span of five years, Fichman led his team to a league championship four times.
Following his tenure as a manager, he began scouting the independent leagues for talent to be signed by major league teams. He scouted for the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
and Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, signing in excess of 167 players.