COMSTOCK PARK -- Joe DePastino called the West Michigan Whitecaps' managerial job one of the best in all of minor league Baseball.
Good thing DePastino feels that way. The Detroit Tigers announced today he will return for a second season as the manager of the Whitecaps, the Tigers' low-Class A minor league affiliate. DePastino, 35, guided West Michigan to 72-65 record and a spot in the Midwest League playoffs in 2008, his first season as a pro manager.
The Whitecaps, who qualified for the Midwest League playoffs, were eliminated from the best-of-three series after losing in the first round to the South Bend (Ind.) Silver Hawks 2-1.
West Michigan, which has captured five Midwest League championships in 15 seasons, won the 2006 and 2007 titles and hoped to become the third organization to win three in a row.
"You can't ask for a better place to manage," DePastino said of West Michigan. "Fifth Third Ballpark is one of the best parks in minor league Baseball, the Whitecaps' front office is great and there's strong fan support.
"I also had a great bunch of kids playing for me, which helped me out, and I'll know more what to expect in my second season."
The Whitecaps finished the '08 season with the second-best team ERA (3.29) and the fifth-best team batting average (.257).
Hitting coach Benny Distefano will return to the Whitecaps for his third season and pitching coach Mark Johnson will be back for his second.
The Whitecaps will open the '09 season April 9.
