Widger named manager of Riversharks
Chris Widger, the 1989 Pennsville graduate who was a catcher on the Chicago White Sox' 2005 World Series championship team, has been named the new manager of the Camden Riversharks of the independent Atlantic League.
Chris Widger, the 1989 Pennsville graduate who was a catcher on the Chicago White Sox' 2005 World Series championship team, has been named the new manager of the Camden Riversharks of the independent Atlantic League.
Widger, who remains a Pennsville resident, served as the Riversharks pitching coach the previous two years. He replaced Ron Karkovice when the Riversharks decided to go in a different direction, according to a team official.
"Managing is something I eventually wanted to do, and I feel so fortunate to be able to it 30 minutes from my home," Widger said Tuesday in a phone interview.
Widger, 43, played 10 years in the majors with six teams, batting .238 with 55 home runs and 222 RBIs.
His last season was 2006, which he spent with both the White Sox and Baltimore Orioles. In 2004 he played briefly with the Riversharks, hitting 16 home runs in 55 games.
Widger said he has two main goals as a manger.
"We want to put the players in position to be productive so they can get the chance with an affiliated team, which is what this league was created for," he said. "Also we want to win as coaches and an organization."
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