PCL veteran to manage 51s

The 51s haven't advanced to the playoffs since 2002, but Dan Rohn hopes to change that next season.

Rohn, 53, was named the 20th manager in the 27-year history of Las Vegas' Triple-A franchise Wednesday by the Toronto Blue Jays.

"I'd like to get us back in the playoffs and see what we can do there," Rohn said from Puerto Rico, where he's managing in a winter league. "We're definitely going to be an offensive ballclub to deal with.

"You're only as good as your defense and pitching, but we're going to bring in some bombers, too."

A two-time Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year -- in 2004 and 2005 with the Tacoma Rainiers -- Rohn guided the Fresno Grizzlies the past three seasons and has coached or managed in professional baseball the past 20 years.

He guided Fresno to a 77-67 mark and a division title in 2007, 67-76 in 2008 and 71-73 last season, when it finished in a tie for last place in its division with Las Vegas.

Rohn said he was "a little surprised" he wasn't rehired by Fresno, an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.

"I thought I did a good job there," he said. "But it's hard to say with all the movement we had in the big leagues the last three years. It's a tough place to manage."

A fourth-round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs in 1977, the 5-foot-7-inch Rohn hit .250 in 54 games for the Cubs and Cleveland Indians.

The Alpena, Mich., native batted .264 in 13 seasons in the minors before retiring in 1989.

Rohn, who notched his 1,000th managerial win in July, began his coaching career in 1991 in the Minnesota Twins' organization and managed in the Seattle Mariners' farm system from 1998 to 2006.

He replaces Mike Basso, who was fired after one season as 51s manager.

"We're really excited to bring him aboard," said Charlie Wilson, Toronto's director of minor league operations. "He's going to bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Blue Jays' organization. He's had good success in the (PCL), and he's just a very solid baseball man."

Dave LaRoche will return as Las Vegas' pitching coach, and Chad Mottola will replace Ken Joyce as the team's hitting coach.

"I'm an aggressive guy. I like to put things in motion, stay positive and stay aggressive," Rohn said. "The whole objective is to get (players) to the big leagues and have them stay there, along with winning games."

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.