The above video put together by OSU Athletics is a good teaser for this morning's news conference in Corvallis. Mitch Canham is returning to Goss Stadium as the new head baseball coach. The 34-year old was one of the leader's on the 2006 and 2007 championship teams. He then went on to play pro ball for nine seasons including at the triple A level. In 2016 he went into coaching.
In his first season with the Seattle organization in 2016, he managed Class-A Clinton (Iowa) to 86 wins in the Midwest League, setting an 80-year record for wins at the low A level. This is not a surpise to anyone who knew Mitch when he was a player for Pat Casey. Canham was alsonamed the franchise's Employee of the Year by the player development division. The next year at mid-level A, his Modesto team won the California League title and he was honored as the organization's Manager of the Year.
Andy McKay, the Mariners' director of player development, said this week that he considered Canham major league managerial material. But Canham told Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune on Tuesday that Oregon State is his "dream job."
Canham also said he is very interested in retaining Oregon State's coaching staff, including Pat Bailey, who took over for Casey on an interim basis this season. Canham, who has remained close to the OSU program, also mentioned pitching coach Nate Yeskie and Coach Andy Jenkins. More coming up at this morning's news conference in Corvallis. We will have it all for you right here on the Rip City Radio 620 Website.