Drive's Boles Earns 500th Career Win

Greenville, S.C. – The accomplishments continue to pile up for Drive Manager Kevin Boles. Over the last few weeks, the 34-year-old was selected by his peers as the manager of the Southern Division All-Stars and guided the Drive to the franchise’s first divisional championship. And now, by virtue of the team’s 6-5 victory Wednesday night over the Rome Braves, Boles has garnered his 500th managerial win.

“It’s just one of those accomplishments where I feel very fortunate to be in the game this long,” said Boles. “It means that I’ve had quality players and staffs to work with during these years.”

Boles is in his second season with the Boston Red Sox organization, as well as his second year at the helm of the Drive. In addition, the ninth-year manager has worked with the Florida Marlins, Kansas City Royals, and Minnesota Twins organizations, making his managerial debut in 2000 for the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Marlins.

Mike Hazen, Director of Player Development for the Boston Red Sox, commented on the accomplishment, saying, “The truest test of any field manager’s skill is the ability to take any group, regardless of age, experience or talent level, and mold it into a competitive, unrelenting ball club. Kevin Boles consistently demonstrates that skill. On behalf of the Boston Red Sox, we would like to congratulate Kevin on this milestone win as a field manager.”

A 42nd round selection of the Cubs in 1998, Boles’ coaching experience actually began in 1999 when he served as a player/coach for Chicago’s Arizona League team. “Carmelo Martinez, who was the manager of the Arizona League Cubs let me coach third base for about 15-20 games,” noted Boles. “So without him, I wouldn’t have had that initial experience.”

Through his first eight full seasons as a manager, and now in his ninth year, Boles has established himself as a proven winner and excellent at developing future Major League stars. The 2009 first-half South Atlantic League Southern Division Championship marks Boles’ fourth title, guiding his 2000 Marlins to the GCL Division title, as well as capturing the first and second half division championships in the Florida State League with the 1996 Fort Myers Miracle.

“The entire Drive organization congratulates Kevin on this accomplishment,” added Drive General Manager Mike deMaine. “What he has done for our team, in just under two seasons is a testament to his managerial and player development abilities, and the main reason as to why the Red Sox hold him in such high regard.”

Boles, who’s father John managed the Florida Marlins in 1996 and from 1999-2001, has played a part in developing some of the Major Leagues’ elite players including Josh Beckett, Matt Garza, and Adrian Gonzalez, as well as up and coming stars like Daniel Bard.

“I see Josh (Beckett) now and remember when he signed with the Marlins at 18 years of age,” recalls Boles. “To remember how he was then, and to see how his now, and how he goes about his business. He’s so good with the young players.”

A native of Northport, Washington, Boles has always made sure that the game of baseball is about the young players that he is in charge of developing, and not his own accomplishments. “You can’t be a self promoter in this position. The players must come first. If you treat the players with respect, they will reciprocate. Our first job as coaches is to develop the players so that they can make an impact at the Major League level. The wins and losses, they’ll take care of themselves.”