"Fran the Man" back in FL

Fran Riordan, pictured, is back in the Frontier League.

The winningest manager in Frontier League history, Riordan has been hired as manager of the Florence Freedom. Riordan replaces Toby Rumfield, who had an 87-105 record in two seasons with Florence.

This will be the fourth Frontier League team for Riordan, who has won three championships.

“I’m very excited to join the Freedom organization. The Frontier League has been a huge part of my life since 1997," Riordan said. "I’ve seen the league grow from its infancy and it’s been a great ride for the league. I’m very excited to be back."

Riordan was a player/manager for the DuBois County Dragons and the Richmond Roosters, guiding the latter to back-to-back championships in 2001 and 2002. After playing one season in the independent Can-Am League, Riordan returned to the Frontier League as manager of the Kalamazoo Kings in 2004. He guided the Kings through the 2008 season and won a league title in 2005.

Riordan has a 435-341 career record in the Frontier League.

Last year, Riordan managed the expansion Lake County Fielders of the independent Northern League. The Fielders had a 41-59 record.

Frontier League commissioner Bill Lee said, "It is fabulous to have Fran back in the league. He has been a great influence in the Frontier League, both as a player and as a manager."

More manager talk

- The Wild Things currently do not have a manager under contract for the 2011 season. Darin Everson had a one-year contract, but Wild Things executive director Todd Marlin said he's hopeful that Everson will return to Washington next season. Like most Frontier League managers, Everson has expressed a desire to return to affiliated ball. Whoever is running the Wild Things' baseball operations has until Dec. 22 to offer contracts to returning players.

- Former National League Manager of the Year Hal Lanier will return for a second season as the Normal CornBelters' manager. Normal had a 44-52 record and finished in fourth place in the West Division last year.