Ex-Expo, Yankee Raines Signs Two-Year Deal To Manage Newark Bears

Newark, NJ (AHN) - A former major leaguer started a minor league managing job this week.

Tim Raines, who average .294 with 2,605 hits in the majors, signed a two-year contract to manage the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League.

Raines joins the Bears from the Class AA Harrisburg Senators, where he was a hitting coach last season. Previously, he was a coach for the Chicago White Sox from 2004 to 2006, serving as first base coach.

Raines, one of the top leadoff men of all-time, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the young team and players.

Raines was a seven-time All-Star and is near the top of all-time base stealing leaders with more than 800 stolen bags in his career.

The "Rock" as he was called in the majors, said he is thrilled to be in Newark, calling the area one of the greatest in all of sports.

The Bears were sold to the California-based Bases Loaded group for $100,000 last week.

Bases Loaded President Jim Wankmiller said he is especially excited about the years of experience Raines brings to his newly acquired ball club.

"His extraordinary knowledge, talent and enthusiasm for the game will continue the team's success as we enter a new era of Newark Bears baseball," Wankmiller told reporters after Raines inked the two-year deal.