10/16/2006 3:48 PM - Kansas City, Kan. – The Kansas City T-Bones have named veteran independent league manager Andy McCauley as their field manager for the 2007 season. McCauley, 37, comes to the T-Bones from the Schaumburg Flyers, who named him as their field manager December 12, 2002. McCauley is just the second manager in T-Bones history.

McCauley replaces T-Bones skipper “Dirty” Al Gallagher, who was the squad’s manager in its first four seasons of existence. In his tenure, Gallagher compiled a 181-195 (.481) record, and guided the T-Bones to the Northern League playoffs in 2004.

“Andy is a well-respected baseball man with a track record of success everywhere he’s been,” said T-Bones Owner John Ehlert. “We’re excited to have Andy as part of the organization, but we also want to thank Al Gallagher for his help in growing the organization.”

McCauley has been a successful baseball coach since 1992, and made his professional managerial debut at the tender age of 29 for the Kalamazoo Kodiaks of the Frontier League in 1998. The next season, McCauley guided the circuit’s London Werewolves to the league crown. Since then, five of McCauley’s seven teams have qualified for the playoffs, including the 2006 Flyers. Those six playoff teams have combined for a stellar 305-237 (.563) won-lost record.

In 2004, McCauley was honored as the Northern League’s Manager of the Year, when the Flyers went 58-38 and came within one out of winning the Northern League title.

“When we’d come down with the Flyers, it was always obvious to me what a great situation it was in Kansas City,” says McCauley, who was also an on-field assistant and batting practice instructor with the Phillies in 1995. “I’m really excited to be a part of the best situation in the Northern League, and feel we have a terrific nucleus of players coming back.”

McCauley, who is single, resides in Allentown, Pa.