Todd Haney has some unfinished business in the West Coast League and the Victoria HarbourCats hope to reap the rewards.
Haney, the HarbourCats head coach, signed a contract extension Wednesday to remain as bench boss through the 2022 WCL season.
After coming within one game of winning the WCL championship last summer, his first as head coach of the HarbourCats, Haney is returning to Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park to finish what he started.
“There is nothing better than summer baseball in beautiful Victoria,” said Haney, who guided the HarbourCats to a 39-15 overall record last season before losing in a third-and-deciding game to the Corvallis Knights in the league final.
“We are pleased with the commitment the ownership and staff has made to us. Working with [hitting coach] Curtis [Pelletier], assistant coach Troy Birtwhistle and newly hired pitching coach Mark Petkovsek, we’re looking forward to another great summer season and we’re determined to bring a championship to Victoria.”
The 54-year-old Haney, who played five seasons in the Major Leagues for the Expos, Mets and Cubs after being drafted by the Seattle Mariners, recently added Petkovsek to his staff. Petkovsek spent 11 years at the MLB level, twice reaching double-digits in wins. He was a first-round draft pick in 1987 by the Texas Rangers.
“This is tremendous news for us, and for baseball in Victoria,” HarbourCats GM Jim Swanson said in a statement.
“Todd is an exceptional coach and leader for this program. This provides stability and really aids in recruiting, with Todd and Curtis working so closely together on bringing in talented players.”
The HarbourCats open the 2020 WCL season on June 5 when they welcome the Ridgefield Raptors to Royal Athletic Park for the start of a three-game set.
Note to readers: This story has been changed to correct the length of Haney's contract extension.
