Angels in Iowa

A little news out of Cedar Rapids.

The Player Development Contract between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Cedar Rapids Kernels has been extended through 2010.

"The Angels are pleased to extend our agreement with the Cedar Rapids Kernels through the 2010 season," said Abe Flores, Director of Player Development for the Angels. "We value our relationship with the Kernels' ownership and front office, and we appreciate that our players are playing in a first-class facility where they receive tremendous fan support."

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The agreement between the Kernels and Angles has been in place since 1993 and is currently the longest affiliation in the Midwest League. The Kernels won the MWL championship in 1994 and qualified for the MWL playoffs in 2007.

Tied for the longest. The Appleton Foxes/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have been affiliated with the Seattle Mariners since 1993, too.

There is a new manager next season for the Kernels and his name is not Magallanes.

Taking over the managerial reins will be Keith Johnson, who has been the hitting coach at double-A Arkansas the past two seasons. This will be his first job as skipper after six years in the Angels organization. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1992 draft out of the University of the Pacific and played in 1,340 minor league games with a .262 average, 125 HR and 640 RBI. He appeared in six major league games with the Angels in 2000, collecting two hits in four at bats. He retired following the 2002 season and resides in Park City, UT with his family.

New pitching coach is Brandon Emanuel. New hitting coach is Damon Mashore.