Managers

Meet Our Managers

Get to know the dedicated managers of the Florida Winter League who are committed to developing talent and fostering a love for the game.

The Rockers were able to entice Keefe to High Point to manage their inaugural season in 2019. He promptly led the Rockers to a 74-66 record and a spot in the playoffs, marking the first time an Atlantic League expansion team had reached the postseason in its first year.

And Keefe worked his magic again in 2021, assembling a team that remained in contention for the playoffs throughout the season.

In 2022, Keefe kept the Rockers in contention for both the first and second half South Division pennants and their year-long dominance earned a wild card spot into the playoffs. High Point needed five games to subdue Gastonia in the South Division Championship Series. In the League Championship Series, Lancaster took the title, three games to none.

The 2023 High Point season produced the best regular season in franchise history. The Rockers locked up a playoff spot early by winning the South Division’s first half title and then sharing the second half championship.

The Rockers selected Keefe as their very first manager after a successful run with the Rockland Boulders. Keefe spent six seasons with the Boulders, leading them to 344 wins and two Manager of the Year awards as well as a Can-Am League championship in 2014.

Prior to joining Rockland, Keefe spent the 2011 season as the head coach of the Pittsfield Colonials of the Can-Am Association, earning Manager of the Year honors by posting a 53-39 record and taking the club to the playoffs.

A native of Rochester, N.H., Keefe was a third round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates after being named the Boston Globe’s New Hampshire Scholastic Player of the Year in 1992. He signed with the Pirates as a shortstop just hours after finishing his prep career in which he led Spaulding High School to the state semifinals by hitting. 378 and succeeding in all 16 stolen base attempts.

Keefe’s journey in professional baseball commenced when he reported to the Bradenton Pirates just days after his high school graduation.

In 1993, the Pirates moved him to second base and assigned him to Lethbridge after having spent the spring in extended spring training. He played the 1994 season at Augusta, Ga. in the South Atlantic League where he hit .266 in 50 games, and in Welland, Ontario.

In 1995, Keefe was with the San Diego Padres and advanced through their system, reaching Class AAA Las Vegas in 1997. Shortly thereafter began his relationship with independent baseball.

Keefe signed with the Bend Bandits of the Western League in 1998 and also spent time with the Massachusetts Mad Dogs in the Northeast League. His independent journey brought him to Chillicothe, Ohio where he spent the 1999 and 2000 seasons. In August 2000, he transitioned from player to coach and then became the manager of the Paints for the 2001 season.

Keefe led Chillicothe to a 51-33 record that first season as the Paints won their division in the Frontier League and reached the championship series. Jamie led Chillicothe to 188 wins in his four seasons before moving to the Florence, Ky. Freedom. He spent part of the 2010 season managing in Kalamazoo before joining the Pittsfield Colonials as an assistant coach. He was named Pittsfield’s manager for 2011 and earned his first Manager of the Year award in taking the Colonials to the championship round.

Viola started his professional career in Orlando in the AA Southern League before moving to AAA Toledo in 1982 and making his Major League debut that same season. He became a fixture in the Twins rotation over the next seven seasons, posting a 17-10 record in 1987 as the Twins reached the World Series and defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. Viola defeated Joe Magrane in Game 1, took a loss in Game 4 and earned the Game 7 victory with a 4-2 win over Danny Cox. Viola was named the World Series MVP as he posted a 2-1 record and allowed just eight earned runs over his 19.1 innings pitched while striking out 16.

In 1988, Viola earned the American League Cy Young Award, garnering 27 of the 28 first place votes to easily outdistance Oakland reliever Dennis Eckersley. Viola led the Majors with 24 wins (24-7 record) and a .774 winning percentage while his 2.64 ERA and 193 strikeouts each ranked third in the American League. He started and won the 1988 All-Star Game after building a 15-2 record leading into the break. Between May 22, 1987 and July 27, 1988, Viola won 19 consecutive games in the Twins’ home stadium, the Metrodome.

During his Twins career, Viola was twice named American League Pitcher of the Month and was Minnesota’s Pitcher of the Year in 1984, 1987 and 1988. He posted a 3-1 postseason pitching record in five starts with 35 strikeouts and just eight walks in 31.1 innings.

By the age of 28, Viola owned a World Series championship, a Series MVP award and a Cy Young Award.

Viola was traded to his hometown New York Mets on July 31, 1989 where he won 38 games over the next two seasons including a 20-12 mark with a 2.67 ERA in 1990 when he finished third in the National League Cy Young voting. He was a National League All-Star in both 1990 and 1991 before signing with Boston as free agent prior to the 1992 season. Viola won 24 games over the 1992-93 seasons but made just six starts in 1994 before undergoing Tommy John surgery in May.

He signed with Cincinnati in 1995 and rehabbed his elbow before returning to the Major Leagues in August. He finished that year with an 0-1 record in three starts and then joined the Toronto Blue Jays in 1996, ending his career after six starts and a 1-3 record. He retired in November 1996.

Following his retirement, Viola worked as a coach and broadcaster before settling as pitching coach of the Mets Class A rookie league team in Brooklyn in 2011. He moved to Class A Savannah in 2012-13 and was named the Coach of the Year in 2013. He spent the 2014-2017 seasons with the Mets’ Class AAA affiliate in Las Vegas. Viola instructed the Mets’ Class AA pitchers at Binghamton in 2018 before joining the Rockers in 2019.

With the Rockers, Viola’s pitching staff has been nothing short of spectacular. In 2023, Viola mentored both the league’s winningest pitcher in Mickey Jannis who 14 games, and the league save leader in Ryan Dull who amassed 18 saves.

Viola’s staff led the Atlantic League in ERA in 2019 (3.74) and again in 2023 (4.74).

Wolfe had a major impact on the Revs’ success during his first season in York as the Revs offense tallied a league-high 797 runs while also leading the league in hits, doubles, and on-base percentage. The team ranked second in batting average and steals and third in home runs.

Wolfe spent the previous four seasons in the American Association including three years with the Sioux City Explorers where after a year as bench coach, he served as the team’s hitting coach for two seasons. His time in Iowa came after a year with the Gary SouthShore Railcats in 2018.

The Florida native has spent recent spring seasons as assistant coach at Seminole State (FL) College, a top D1 Junior College program, where he served as the program’s hitting coach, third base coach, and oversaw the Raiders’ infielders, having also previously coached the team’s outfielders when he first joined the program in 2018.

A coaching veteran, Wolfe brings an extensive background with experience at a wide range of levels within the game.

Wolfe began his career as head coach at Hiwassee (TN) College from 1995-2000, before spending six seasons from 2001-07 as an assistant coach at the University of Central Florida where he served a variety of areas within the program including assistant recruiting coordinator, hitting coach, third base coach, and outfielders coach. Wolfe helped guide 18 student-athletes who went on to sign MLB contracts during his time at UCF. He also held summer collegiate league head coaching positions during that time with both the Winter Park Angels and the Diamond Dawgs of the Florida Collegiate Summer League where he was named FCSL Coach of the Year in 2005, guided the Angels to a league championship, and served as the league’s Vice President.

Wolfe’s background also includes great success at the prep level, where he was head varsity coach and middle school dean of students at Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, FL from 2008-14, and head coach at Seminole High School from 2014-18. Wolfe’s time at Trinity Prep was highlighted by a pair of District Championships as he was named Coach of the Year by his fellow coaches in 2012 and helped guide 22 players who committed to NCAA Division I programs and one MLB draft selection.

Wolfe brings a strong background in baseball analytics to his role with certifications from OnbaseU, Rapsodo, Blast Motion, and Baseball Analytics. He is well-regarded throughout the industry for his individual approach with hitters and his tireless work ethic. During his prep coaching days, Wolfe even co-authored a book on the subject, Coaching Revolution – A Philosophy and Game Plan.

A native of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Wolfe played four years at Tennessee Wesleyan University where he graduated in 1994 with a degree in Physical Education Teaching and Coaching. He and his wife Jennifer reside in Lake Mary, FL with their children Jack, Hayden, Danny, and Julie.

Paul Fletcher

Manager

A former Major Leaguer with experience scouting winning arms and coaching winning teams is heading to Lexington for the Legends’ 25th anniversary season. The team is proud to name Paul Fletcher as the club’s new manager for the 2025 season. Fletcher, 54, brings over 25 years of professional baseball experience, having worked as a scout for the San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Throughout his career, Fletcher has signed more than 60 players, with 16 making it to “The Show.”

As a coach, Fletcher led three teams to their respective league championships and helped develop 23 players who made it to the majors. He has managed teams in various leagues, including Minor League Baseball and independent leagues, always with a personal special focus on talent development.

Fletcher’s professional playing career included time as a left-handed pitcher with the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, and Pittsburgh Pirates. The native Georgian also played two seasons in the Frontier League where he was awarded Relief Pitcher of the Year. In 2024, he guided the Glacier Range Riders (MT) to the Pioneer League finals.

“We’re excited to welcome Paul to the Legends as we celebrate our 25th anniversary,” said Justin Ferrarella, General Manager of the Legends. “His experience in scouting and coaching, combined with his understanding of the game, will be invaluable as we build a competitive team who’s on-field product matches the off-field fan experience we’re delivering.”

The Legends take the field to start their 25th anniversary season on Friday, April 25th against the Charleston Dirty Birds.

“I’m thrilled to be part of such a respected organization,” said Fletcher. “The 25th anniversary season is a special time for the Legends, and I’m looking forward to helping the team succeed and deliver a memorable experience for our fans.”