The last time the Canseco brothers made headlines was for the wrong reasons.
This time, their news is relevant to baseball. Jose Canseco and his twin brother Ozzie are headed to Arizona to coach and play baseball. Jose will manage the Yuma Scorpions of the North American Baseball League and play first base and designated hit. Ozzie will serve as the hitting/bench coach and also play full-time.
Jose will become the first full-time player-manager in professional baseball since Pete Rose with the Cincinnati Reds from 1984 to 1986.
The Cansecos are slated to bat third and fourth in the Scorpions’ lineup, which should make for some compelling stories in the newly formed NABL.
Jose is looking forward to the managing opportunity.
“I’m excited about my first chance to manage a club in professional baseball and to begin to transition my career to helping younger players and giving back to the game,” the former MLB slugger tweeted on Monday.
Canseco’s previous efforts to give back to the game included two tell-all books and countless appearances in court regarding his role in the steroid boom that Major League Baseball experienced during his playing days.
“I know I can still play and hit, so this player-manager opportunity was just what I was looking for. Two of my idols started as player-managers — Frank Robinson and Joe Torre — and I can only hope to follow in their footsteps.”
The Cansecos will make their debut for the Scorpions on May 24 against the Calgary Vipers.
