The story of Jim Horner

This is a little late AND it caught me offguard when I read it on the air last night.*

Jim Horner was a player for the Timber Rattlers in 1997 and was the manager of the Rattlers in 2006 and 2007. He went on to manage in High Desert in the Mariners system.

He's not with the Mavericks anymore. But, it was his choice.

Jim Horner, the winningest manager in High Desert Mavericks' history, is stepping down after Friday night's game to become an assistant coach at Texas Tech University.

Mariners infield and baserunning coordinator Darrin Garner will manage the team for the rest of the season, the Mavericks announced.

Since joining the Mavericks in 2008, Horner is 194-182. He was named California League Manager of the Year last season after guiding High Desert to the South Division first- and second-half titles and a spot in the Championship Series.

You know how spending time with the family is kind of a cliche in situations like this.  It's not a cliche in Jim Horner's case.

The father of four cited his family as one of the reasons for his latest move.

"It will be nice for my family to be together at one place year-round," he said.

Good luck to Coach Horner...and Guns UP!

*-I'm not the only one caught offguard.