Brooklyn Cyclones - 2014 COACHING STAFF ANNOUNCED

Brooklyn, NY – February 27, 2014 – The coaching staff for the 2014 Brooklyn Cyclones has been announced and will feature all-new faces for the first time since 2011. Tom Gamboa, who has over four decades of experience in professional baseball, will serve as the manager, while Tom Signore joins the team as the pitching coach. Benny Distefano, who served as the Cyclones hitting coach in 2010, will return to the team in the same role for the 2014 campaign.

“We look forward to welcoming the new coaching staff to Brooklyn for the 2014 season,” said Cyclones Vice President Steve Cohen. “They all have a track record of success, and we are hopeful that they will help guide our team back to the playoffs for the 2014 season.”

Gamboa, 66, enters his first season with the Mets organization and his 41st year in pro baseball. The Rancho Mirage, CA native last managed in 2011 with Inland Empire (A) of the California League, but resigned halfway through the season in order to attend to a family matter. Gamboa has served on the Major League coaching staffs of the Chicago Cubs (1998-99), and Kansas City Royals (2001-03). The father of five has also had a successful managerial career in the minor leagues, including division titles most recently in Arkansas (AA) in 2005, and Albuquerque (AAA) in 2000.

Signore, 52, also joins the Mets organization for the first time in 2014 after spending the previous three seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays as the pitching coach with New Hampshire (AA) of the Eastern League. The Connecticut native was a part of the Blue Jays organization since 2005 and has also served as a pitching coach in the NYPL on two occasions: Auburn (2005) and Vermont (1997). Signora graduated from Quinnipiac College in 1985, and was a teammate of Mets Special Assistant to the General Manager, J.P. Ricciardi, during his lone season as a professional pitcher with Helena (R) in 1985.

Distefano, 52, returns to the Cyclones as the hitting coach after serving in the same role in Brooklyn for the 2010 season. During his lone season on Coney Island, the Cyclones led the New York-Penn League in hitting, home runs and ranked second in runs scored. The Brooklyn, NY native was a member of the Savannah (A) coaching staff in 2011 and St. Lucie for 2012 and 2013. The Lafayette High School graduate played professionally for 12 years, including parts of five seasons in the major leagues with Pittsburgh and Houston.

Opening Day for the 2014 season is Friday, June 13th at Staten Island, with the Home Opener scheduled for the following day. Full season, partial season and group plans for the 2014 season are on sale now by calling 718-37-BKLYN.