Dascenzo named Ems' manager.

Byline: Steve Mims The Register-Guard

Doug Dascenzo, a speedy outfielder who played seven seasons in the major leagues, has been named manager of the Eugene Emeralds for the 2006 Northwest League season.

Dascenzo has visited Eugene in recent years as the San Diego Padres' minor-league outfield/baserunning instructor, a position he has held for seven seasons. Dascenzo will make his debut as a manager in Eugene.

"I can't wait to get going," Dascenzo said. "I've always liked Eugene when I visited. The ballpark and the fans make it a great place. I am also looking forward to working with the new kids in their first year in professional baseball. Taking their enthusiasm and transferring that to the field should make for a fun season."

Dascenzo hit .234 with five home runs, 90 RBIs and 49 stolen bases in 540 games during his major-league career. He played for the Chicago Cubs from 1988-92 before joining the Texas Rangers for the 1993 season. His final season was with the Padres in 1996.

Wally Whitehurst will return as pitching coach for the Emeralds while Joe Ferguson was hired as hitting instructor.

Whitehurst, who pitched for the Padres, Mets and Yankees during a seven-year career from 1989-96, was in Eugene last year when the Ems ranked fourth in the league with a 3.78 ERA and set a league record for fewest walks in a season with 182.

Ferguson is the veteran on the staff, beginning his 39th season in professional baseball as a player or coach.

Ferguson played catcher from 1970-83 and spent most of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He played in the World Series in 1974 and 1978 when the Dodgers lost to Oakland and the New York Yankees, respectively.

Ferguson also played with St. Louis and Houston before retiring as a member of the California Angels. He batted .240 with 122 home runs and 445 RBIs in 1,013 career games.

Ferguson began his coaching career with the Dodgers in 1985, then was a bench coach for the Texas Rangers. He served as a coach for seven years with the Angels, including a stint as first-base coach from 1992-94.

He spent seven seasons as a manager in the Baltimore organization before managing Quebec of the independent Northern League. Ferguson has been San Diego's minor-league catching coordinator for the past two seasons and made a few stops in Eugene.

Ferguson visited Eugene a few times during his minor-league playing career as well.

He made his professional debut with Tri-City of the Northwest League in 1968 when Eugene played at Bethel Park.

Ferguson played at Civic Stadium with Spokane in 1971 and Albuquerque in 1972 when the Emeralds were a member of the AAA Pacific Coast League. Ferguson helped Albuquerque defeat Eugene in the PCL championship series in 1972.

Eugene opens the season at Boise on June 19 and plays its home opener June 24 against Spokane.

In other Ems news, president and general manager Bob Beban was named NWL executive of the year. Beban also won the award in 1983, 1986 and 1988.

Brandy Evenson, the director of tickets and special events for the past two seasons, has left the Emeralds to take a sales position with the Seattle Mariners. She will be in charge of selling season tickets, group outings and sky suites.