Mike Jirschele
Encyclopedia
Michael John Jirschele is the manager for the Omaha Storm Chasers baseball team, his 12th season in Omaha and 15th season as a minor league manager. He also played minor league baseball
for 13 seasons.
Jirschele was drafted by the Texas Rangers
in the fifth round of the 1977 draft out of Clintonville High School in Clintonville, Wisconsin.
An infielder, Jirschele played minor league baseball from 1977 to 1985 and from 1987 to 1990, hitting .225 with 102 doubles, 31 triples and 35 home runs in 999 games. He played at the Triple-A level for six seasons, however he never reached the major leagues.
Jirschele began his minor league managing career in 1992, heading the GCL Royals in the Gulf Coast League
and leading them to the league championship. In 1993, he managed the Rockford Royals of the Midwest League
, and in 1994 he managed the Wilmington Blue Rocks
of the Carolina League
, leading them to the league championship. From 1995 to 1997 and from 2003 to 2011 he has managed the Omaha Storm Chasers franchise, known as the Royals through the 2010 season.
On May 23, 2011, Jirschele won his 1,000th game as a minor league manager. He was named the winner of the 2011 Mike Coolbaugh Award
.
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
for 13 seasons.
Jirschele was drafted by the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
in the fifth round of the 1977 draft out of Clintonville High School in Clintonville, Wisconsin.
An infielder, Jirschele played minor league baseball from 1977 to 1985 and from 1987 to 1990, hitting .225 with 102 doubles, 31 triples and 35 home runs in 999 games. He played at the Triple-A level for six seasons, however he never reached the major leagues.
Jirschele began his minor league managing career in 1992, heading the GCL Royals in the Gulf Coast League
Gulf Coast League
The Gulf Coast League is a minor league baseball league which operates in Florida. It is a Rookie League, with a season running from mid-June to late August. The season is 60 games long and teams in the league are divided into three divisions, East, North and South...
and leading them to the league championship. In 1993, he managed the Rockford Royals of the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
, and in 1994 he managed the Wilmington Blue Rocks
Wilmington Blue Rocks
The Wilmington Blue Rocks are a Minor League Baseball team located in Wilmington, Delaware. The Blue Rocks play in the Northern Division of the Carolina League.-Franchise history:...
of the Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
, leading them to the league championship. From 1995 to 1997 and from 2003 to 2011 he has managed the Omaha Storm Chasers franchise, known as the Royals through the 2010 season.
On May 23, 2011, Jirschele won his 1,000th game as a minor league manager. He was named the winner of the 2011 Mike Coolbaugh Award
Mike Coolbaugh Award
The Mike Coolbaugh Award is presented annually by Minor League Baseball . The award, first given in 2008, is presented to a MiLB figure who has shown an "outstanding baseball work ethic, knowledge of the game, and skill in mentoring young players on the field."The award was developed to honor Mike...
.