By Stephen Ur –
Former New York Yankees infielder Bobby Menachem has been named the new manager of the the Hartford Yard Goats, the team announced. The Yard Goats, the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, were informed by the Rockies that Meacham will manage the Yard Goats in 2024.
Meachem played six seasons as shortstop with the Yankees from 1983-1988. He finished his career hitting .236 with eight home runs and 114 RBIs.
Meacham becomes the fifth manager in Yard Goats history, replacing Chris Denorfia, who served as manager over the past three seasons. This will be his 34th consecutive season as a coach in MLB affiliated baseball.
Joining Meachem on the Yard Goats coaching staff in 2024 will be pitching coach Dan Meyer, hitting coach and former Yard Goats infielder Zach Osborne, as well as returning bench coach Luis Lopez. Athletic trainer Coy Coker will return for his second season, and Ryan Hurston will return as Physical Performance Coach.
“We welcome Bobby to Hartford, and look forward to working with him as well as Dan, Zach and Luis,” Yard Goats General Manager Mike Abramson said. “Many of our fans remember Bobby as a player and coach for the New York Yankees, and it will be exciting to watch him lead our club, and have him as part of the Hartford community.”
Meacham will be available to meet with media at Dunkin’ Park for a press conference next Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 12:30 p.m. ET
Meacham, 63, spent last season as the bench coach for the Rockies Triple-A affiliate, the Albuquerque Isotopes in the Pacific Coast League. He served as a coaching assistant on Joe Girardi’s Philadelphia Phillies staff from Jan. 2020 through June 2022, and was also part of the Major League coaching staffs of the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees and Houston Astros from 2006-12.
The Los Angeles native spent the 2013-19 seasons managing at three levels in the Toronto Blue Jays Minor League system, including three in the Eastern League for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (2014-2016). Meacham was the third base coach for the New York Yankees in 2008, and has managed at every level of the minor leagues.