Stan Cliburn - Coaching Career

Coaching Career

From 2001 to 2005, Cliburn was the manager of the New Britain Rock Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. His pitching coach at New Britain for those five seasons was Stu Cliburn, his twin brother. On October 18, 2005, Stan Cliburn was named as manager of the Rochester Red Wings, the Triple-A affiliate of the Twins. Initially, it was believed that Stu would not be promoted along with Stan; however, both were promoted to Rochester for the 2006 season. In his first season at the helm in Rochester, Cliburn guided the Wings to a 79–64 record and came within one game of winning the Governors' Cup, the championship of the International League.

The 2006 season proved to be the most successful of Cliburn's tenure in Rochester. The team's record declined in each successive season following the playoff run, eventually falling to 70–74 in 2009. Additionally, following the 2008 season, Stan was separated from Stu for the first time in eight years as Stu was reassigned to New Britain for 2009. On September 21, 2009, the Minnesota Twins announced that they would not renew manager Stan Cliburn's contract for the 2010 season. According to Twins farm director Jim Rantz, the change was made as part of an "overall directional change that is being implemented throughout the minor-league system." Cliburn was ultimately replaced by Tom Nieto. As of October 2009, Cliburn has not joined another organization.

In the fall of 2008, Cliburn managed in the Arizona Fall League (AFL). His team, the Phoenix Desert Dogs, finished just 18–18 during the season; however, they won their division and defeated the Mesa Solar Sox in the AFL championship game to capture Phoenix's fifth straight title.