Former Dodger to Match Wits With Scyphers

Simi Valley baseball Coach Mike Scyphers faces a big-league challenge in today’s opener. The Pioneers begin play in the first round of the El Segundo tournament with a 3 p.m. home game against Leuzinger of Lawndale, and Scyphers’ coaching opponent is Derrel Thomas, a former major league player.

“It’ll be interesting,” Scyphers said. “It’ll be fun to coach against him and have him see what kind of a program we have at Simi Valley.”

Thomas, 37, was a first-round draft pick out of Dorsey High in 1969 played in the majors for 15 years, including stops in San Diego, San Francisco, Montreal, Philadelphia and with the Dodgers and Angels.

He started his coaching career last spring at Los Angeles City College. He managed the Boise Hawks in the Northwest Rookie League over the summer but was fired before the season ended.

Thomas sees the Leuzinger job as a steppingstone to the big leagues.

“I’d like to get back to the pro level as a manager or coach. What I want to do is add to my resume,” he said.

“This allows me the opportunity to share my experiences and knowledge with these kids.”