The Kamloops NorthPaws have a new head coach, but he’s a familiar face to people who’ve been around the ball club over the past two season.

Jose Bautista will take over from Keith Francis after spending two seasons as the pitching coach.

“I’m doing it pretty much for the kids because last year, some of the things that I saw, I didn’t really like,” Bautista said. “We should be doing something different this year. That is why I want to take over as Head Coach.”

“Let the kids play, let them hit the ball. Have some fun. Have some fun. That’s why we call it a game because we have to have fun with it.”

Francis’ contract wasn’t renewed following a dismal season that saw the NorthPaws finish last in the West Coast League with a 12-40 record over 52 games. Francis took over at the last minute after Brian Anderson took on a coaching job at Northwestern University.

Bautista, a right-handed pitcher from the Dominican Republic, played in the Majors from 1988 to 1997 with the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, and St. Louis Cardinals.

The 59-year-old had a career 4.62 ERA and 322 strikeouts, and holds the record for fewest pitches in a complete game. He threw only 70 pitches in a 1-0 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sept. 30, 1988.

Bautista transitioned to coaching after his decade-long playing career, and spent over a decade in the Chicago White Sox minor league system.

“I’ve been in baseball for 45 years, so I know a lot of stuff that I can teach and tell those kids about,” he said. “I’ve taken on my own philosophy and I’m going to do it my way.”

Bautista also says he wants to put the Kamloops in the NorthPaws.

“[There are] some of the guys [from last year] that I want to come back next year, especially the guys from Kamloops,” he said. “They need to have a little bit more of a chance to play.”

Bautista is the fourth manager hired by NorthPaws since the team was awarded an expansion franchise.

“The organization is excited for this promotion,” NorthPaws General Manager, Jenna Forter said. “Jose has proven his commitment to our players, our team and to the coaching staff. He shares the values that this team is built on, and his passion for the athletes and their development was our deciding factor in promoting him to Head Coach.”

“We are looking forward to 2024 and welcoming back local Canadian talent, along with new athletes to add to our roster.”

Jose Bautista will join NL Mornings with Jeff and Bill at 8:20 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

– With files from Victor Kaisar