Hassey To Manage Isotopes in 2005

The Florida Marlins announced that Ron Hassey will manage the
Isotopes in 2005.

Hassey, a former major-leaguer, managed the Marlins' Class-AA club,
the Carolina Mudcats, in 2004.

Hassey spent 14 seasons (1192 games) in the majors as a catcher 
except for 23 games at first base.  Hassey played for the Indians, 
Cubs, Yankees, White Sox, Athletics and Expos, compiling a .266
batting average (914x3440) with 348 runs scored, 172 doubles, 7
triples, 71 homers, 438 RBI, 385 walks, 378 strikeouts and 14
stolen bases.

Various 'Topes Notes

The Marlins named Joe Dillon their 2004 Minor League Hitter
of the Year.  Dillon hit .325 with 30 homers and 86 RBI with
the Isotopes and compiled a .329 batting average with 46
doubles, 7 triples, 39 homers and 117 RBI with both Class-AA
Carolina and Class-AAA Albuquerque in 2004.

Scott Olsen was the 2004 Minor League Pitcher of the Year
and pitched for Class-A Jupiter Hammerheads.

The Isotopes attendance mark of 575,607 (8,223 average per
game) was third best in the PCL attendance in 2004 and sixth
best in Triple-A baseball.  The Isotopes season attendance was
eighth best in all of minor league baseball for 2004.

Triple-A Affiliation Changes Complete

There have been some Player Development Agreement (PDA) 
renewals or changes in the last week or two, some of which 
affect some Pacific Coast League clubs.

The Omaha Royals and Kansas City Royals extended their PDA for
two more seasons.

The Nashville Sounds and Pittsburgh Pirates did not renew their PDA.
The Sounds and Milwaukee Brewers signed a two-year PDA while
the Pirates signed a two-year PDA with the Indianapolis Indians of
the International League.

The PCL's newest club, the Round Rock Express, signed a four-year
PDA with the Houston Astros.

The New Orleans Zephyrs, formerly affiliated with the Astros, just
signed a two-year PDA with the Montreal Expos.

The Fresno Grizzlies and San Francisco Giants signed a two-year
extension of their PDA.

The PCL is undergoing division realignment in 2005 with the 
addition of the Express.  The new divisions and teams are:

PCL Eastern Division

Iowa Cubs (Cubs)
Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals)
Nashville Sounds (Brewers)
Omaha Royals (Royals)

PCL Central Division

Albuquerque Isotopes (Marlins)
Oklahoma Redhawks (Rangers)
Round Rock Express (Astros)
New Orleans Zephyrs (Expos)

PCL Northern Division

Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Rockies)
Portland Beavers (Padres)
Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners)
Salt Lake Stingers (Angels)

PCL Southern Division

Fresno Grizzlies (Giants)
Las Vegas 51s (Dodgers)
Sacramento River Cats (Athletics)
Tucson Sidewinders (Diamondbacks)

Woodson Not Returning To 'Topes

Manager Tracy Woodson is one and done as the manager of
the Isotopes.

In his first season with the Isotopes, Woodson's guided the club
to a 67-77 record, good for last place in the PCL Central 
Division.

No new manager, the third one in franchise history, has been 
named yet.  No Isotopes manager has been at the helm
of the club for more than one season.