LOS ANGELES -- Longtime Dodgers Minor League manager John Shoemaker was named the winner of the eighth annual Mike Coolbaugh Award, presented to an individual who has shown outstanding baseball work ethic, knowledge of the game and skill in mentoring young players.
Shoemaker will receive his award at the Winter Meetings banquet on Sunday, Dec. 6, in Nashville. The award was named in memory of Coolbaugh, a former player who was killed when struck by a line drive while coaching first base in a Minor League game.
"With numerous qualified instructors eligible for this award, I feel extremely fortunate to be the recipient of this year's Mike Coolbaugh Award," said Shoemaker, who led the Rookie-level Ogden Raptors to a 43-33 mark in his 22nd season as a manager in the Dodgers organization, in a statement.