The San Diego Padres announced Oct. 29 that Andy Green has been named the club’s manager. Executive vice president/general manager A.J. Preller made the announcement.
“Andy has the combination of intelligence and feel for the game that we are looking for to lead this team,” said Preller. “As a player, he displayed a strong work ethic and even stronger passion, earning everything he achieved. “That passion has carried over into his managerial and Major League coaching career. We are excited to welcome him to the Padres family and look forward to the success he will help bring to San Diego.”
Green, 38, spent last season as the third base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks, a capacity in which he worked closely with the club’s infielders. The Lexington, Ky., native has spent his entire five-season professional coaching career in the Diamondbacks’ organization, having served as manager for the club’s Rookie-Level Arizona League affiliate in 2011, manager of the Advanced Rookie-Level Missoula Osprey of the Pioneer League in 2012 and manager of Double-A Mobile BayBears from 2013-14.
During his time in Arizona’s minor league system, Green compiled a combined 219-189 (.537) record and earned numerous accolades, including being named the Southern League Manager of the Year in both 2013 and 2014 while also being tabbed as the “Best Manager Prospect” in the Southern League by Baseball America both years. He also guided Missoula to a Pioneer League Championship in 2012.
Green enjoyed an 11-year professional playing career in the Diamondbacks (2000-06), Cincinnati Reds (2008) and New York Mets (2008-10) organizations, including parts of four Major League seasons with the D-Backs (2004-06) and Mets (2009). Originally selected by Arizona in the 24th round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft, he appeared in 140 Major League games (136 with the D-Backs) and hit .200 with two home runs and 12 RBI. Over parts of 10 minor league seasons, Green hit .295 with 229 doubles, 35 triples, five home runs and 418 RBI in 901 games and was named the Pacific Coast League MVP in 2005 as a member of the Tucson Sidewinders after he hit .343 with 46 doubles, 19 home runs and 80 RBI. Additionally, he played 18 games with the Nippon Ham Fighters in the Japanese Pacific League in 2007.
Green graduated with a finance degree from the University of Kentucky. He currently ranks as the Wildcats’ career record holder in runs scored (199), games (228), hits (227) and at-bats (908). Green and his wife, Jessica, reside in Scottsdale, Ariz. with their three daughters, Anna, Emily and Lainey.