Mason manager in York

From the York Revolution website:

ANDY ETCHEBARREN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AT SEASON’S ENDMarks end of 51-year career in uniform for “Etch”Pitching Coach Mark Mason to become Revolution Manager

York Revolution manager Andy Etchebarren has announced he will retire as manager at the conclusion of the 2012 season. His retirement marks the end of a 51-year career in uniform in professional baseball. Following his retirement, “Etch” will remain with the organization as a special assistant to chairman Peter Kirk. In a related announcement, the Revolution named Pitching Coach Mark Mason to succeed Etchebarren as manager when his retirement becomes effective.

Etchebarren directed the York Revolution to their first two Atlantic League Championships in 2010 and 2011, becoming just the second Atlantic League franchise to win the title in back-to-back seasons.

The appointment of Mark Mason to Manager will make the transition to 2013 especially smooth. Mason, who has managed more than 400 professional games in the Frontier League, has been at Etchebarren's side the last three seasons as York’s Pitching Coach. Mason came to York after a successful stint as both a pitching coach and manager in the Frontier League, beginning in 2002. That season he joined the Washington (PA) Wild Things as pitching coach, where he remained for three seasons. In 2005, he was named Frontier League Manager of the Year in his lone season at the helm of the Ohio Valley Red Coats. He also managed the Chillicothe Paints, also of the Frontier League, for two seasons, and then returned to Washington as Manager before coming to York for the 2010 season.

Mason's pitching staffs led the Frontier League in wins in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006. He is very well-versed in all aspects of the job, from managing the club between the lines, to player acquisitions and transactions throughout the season and scouting for talent throughout professional baseball, all of which are keys to building contending baseball clubs from the ground up. As Etchebarren's top adviser the last three seasons with York, Mason's connections to and knowledge of the professional baseball landscape have proven to be invaluable to the York Revolution's successes on the field. Before joining the pro game, Mason spent 16 seasons from 1987 through 2002 as the head baseball coach at Washington & Jefferson College inWashington, PA. As a player, Mason pitched in the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league system, ascending as high as the Double-A Lynn (MA) Pirates of the Eastern League.

“I’m excited for us and for Mark as he assumes the Manager role,” said Menzer. “He’s been a critical part of our success, and he’s also a proven winner. Mark has made York his permanent home, and he has the same feeling about our fans and our town as Andy has.”

“I am honored to be the next field manager for the York Revolution. I want to thank the owners, Eric and Etch for this great opportunity. I will do everything possible to continue the high standard of excellence that we have set here for our loyal fans,” said new Revolution Manager Mark Mason.