Former Southern Illinois Miner to manage new Prospect League baseball team in Marion, IL
MARION, Ill. (KBSI) – Ralph Santana, former player and coach for the Southern Illinois Miners, will now serve as the field manager at Rent One Park and general manager and lead instructor at the SI Elite baseball facility. The upcoming season will be the first ever Prospect League team to play at Rent One Park.
Rent One Park held a news conference Tuesday to announce the team’s new field manager.
“Where the rubber meets the road with Ralph is not only is he a great leader, he understands the game,” said Rent One Park General Manager Dave Kost. “He’ll be a tremendous operator of what goes on on the field.”
Santana was drafted in 2001 in the 42nd round by the Milwaukee Brewers where he played about 3.5 seasons of affiliated baseball. He spent a couple years in independent baseball (Northern League at that time). He played in the inaugural season of the Southern Illinois Miners in 2007. He was an all-star second baseman and hit over .340 and won some awards. After that season, he transitioned from player to hitting coach for the Miners until 2013. Santana worked in 2016 on an interim basis and transitioned to a bench coach in 2017. He won Coach of the Year for the Frontier League. He is one of three Southern Illinois Miners to have their jersey retired.
“It was almost a no brainer for me to come back to the park,” Santana said. “Something I helped build here. Such rich tradition. Such great history.”
Leading these men the right way and teaching them the pro-style way of playing this game at this beautiful park.
What a vision they have for this youth coming up. I’m so excited. State of the art equipment.”
“We will have no part less than the best to make them reach their best abilities.”
“If anybody knows me, I’m 100% in on when I go, we do it the right way and we go hard. It means a lot to me. I get attached to these kids and they know it.”
Santana has recruited some area players from DuQuoin, Ava, Marion and Benton to play in the upcoming season.
“The region of player, of great players that come from here come back home and play here. You can’t buy that anywhere,” Santana said.
Jackson Wiseman will be joining as the Director of Entertainment & Promotions (Vice President of Fun). This is his ninth year at Rent One Park. Often was the canary mascot at the games.
Jennifer Lee will be Director of Community Relations. She has served with the company in a variety of different roles.
Hettie Goins will be the new Box Office Manager.
Lauren Suprenant will be Manager of Partnerships & Sales.
Lane Dickerson will be the new Pitching Coach. He is the current pitching coach at John A. Logan College.
Rent One Park will announce the new team name and logo in February. Season ticket and team merchandise will go on sale at that time.
