Ex-Dodger Russell to Manage Team in California Fall League

Former Dodger shortstop and manager Bill Russell will manage a team in the new California Fall League, which will begin play in September.

Russell, fired by the Dodgers along with general manager Fred Claire in June 1998, will manage the Rancho Cucamonga Surfers, a team of minor leaguers from the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Russell is the manager of the Devil Rays’ double-A team in Orlando, Fla. He’ll join the Surfers before the season starts Sept. 23.

The other Fall League franchises will be in San Bernardino (home of the Dodger Class-A affiliate), Lake Elsinore and Lancaster. The San Bernardino Sand Dragons will draft players from the Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds and will be managed by former major league manager Billy Gardner.

The league will draw players from rookie leagues, Class A and double A. The season runs through Nov. 5 with games Tuesday through Sunday.

“We are very enthusiastic about this,” California League President Joe Gagliardi said. “This provides fans with a real picture of the future talent for the major leagues.”