Robert Peter Geren (born September 22, 1961, in San Diego, California) is the manager of the Oakland Athletics. He is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played in the majors for the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres.

[edit] Playing career

Geren was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the first round with the 24th pick of the 1979 draft.^[1] After spending ten years in the Minor Leagues, he made his Major League debut for the New York Yankees in 1988. Geren played with New York through 1991. While with the Yankees he appeared on the CBS daytime version of Family Feud hosted by Ray Combs with other members of his family late in 1988. He spent the first two seasons backing up Don Slaught. In 1990, he had his statistically best season as the starting Yankees' catcher. In 110 games, he had a .213 batting average with 8 home runs and 31 runs batted in.^[1]

After spending 1992 in the Minors with the Pawtucket Red Sox^[2], he played his final season of baseball in 1993 with the San Diego Padres, the team that originally drafted him.

[edit] Coaching career

[edit] Minor league manager

Geren was hired by then Boston Red Sox director of player development Bob Schaefer to manage in the Red Sox minor league system. He managed for them from 1995-1998 at the Rookie and Class A levels before leaving the organization over Schaefer's firing.

He next was the manager for the Oakland A's Triple-A affiliate Sacramento River Cats from 2000-2002. During this time he worked under A's General Manager Billy Beane, a longtime friend and former high school baseball opponent.

During the winter, Geren managed the Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Baseball League, winning the league championship in 2002.

Geren was eventually promoted to A's bench coach, a position he held through 2006.

[edit] Oakland A's manager

On Novermber 17, 2006, Geren was promoted from his previous position as Athletics bench coach to the position of manager.^[3] He replaced Ken Macha, who was fired after disagreements with players and general manager Billy Beane. In 2007, Geren led the A's to a 76-86 record and their first losing season since 1998.

In March 2009, the A's and Geren agreed to a contract extension for one year, with an additional options year.^[4]

[edit] Managerial record

[edit] Family

Geren and his wife, Pam, reside in the Oakland suburb of Danville with their sons, Brett and Bobby^[5].

[edit] See also

• List of Major League Baseball managers in 2007
• List of Major League Baseball managers in 2008

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference