STATEN ISLAND, NY - On Friday, January 6, the ownership of the Staten Island FerryHawks, John Catsimatidis, Eric Shuffler and Yankee Global Enterprises proudly announce the signing of former New York Yankees World Series Champion, Homer Bush, as the second manager in team history.  

Homer Bush had a seven-year MLB career with the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Florida Marlins.  After his playing career concluded in 2005, Bush continued to be passionate about the game. He began building his reputation as a hitting coach with a focus on player development in his community. At the same time, he continued to be an active instructor working with MLB and USA Baseball through the Elite Development Invitational, Breakthrough & Dream Series as well as States Play initiatives. Bush used his extensive experience as a hitting coach to author the book Hitting Low in the Zone: A New Baseball Paradigm.  

In 2014, Bush was the hitting instructor for the Eugene Emeralds in the San Diego Padres organization working with high leverage players like Trea Turner and Frenchy Cordero. In 2016, Bush worked as the Texas Rangers Director of Youth Baseball Programs. Here, he helped the Rangers and MLB build the Dallas/Fort Worth RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) programs. In 2021, Bush was the league coordinator for the Appalachian League as well as a hitting coach for the USA Baseball Prospect Development Pipeline League. In 2022, Bush was manager for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the MLB Draft League where he built a clubhouse culture that focused on player development, team accountability and community engagement.  

His son Homer Bush Jr is a highly rated baseball prospect at Grand Canyon University.  

“Homer Bush is an outstanding person. He was a valuable member of the Yankees 1998 World Series team. He had a great MLB career and is respected and well liked throughout baseball. The fans on Staten Island are going to love him on and off the field. He will be a huge asset to the FerryHawks”, said Randy Levine, President of the New York Yankees. 

“The FerryHawks are New York City’s top minor league baseball team and we’re excited to have a World Series champion as our leader.   We plan to bring a championship to the great borough of Staten Island and their passionate baseball fans.  Homer is a big part of our larger vision to establish the FerryHawks and Staten Island University Hospital Community Park, with its world class views, as New York’s newest entertainment destination”, said Staten Island Entertainment and FerryHawks Chairman John Catsimatidis. 

“Homer Bush’s enthusiasm and intellect for baseball is matched by his passion for community engagement. He values teaching the game to young players and has an advanced approach to the use of data as part of player development, roster building and game strategy.”  Said Eric Shuffler, President of the Staten Island Entertainment and the FerryHawks. 

“I have been approached about managing several times, but the fit was never right.  The opportunity in Staten Island is big time and to be able to build a successful organization in New York City is what every competitive athlete and person strives to do, said Homer Bush.  “New York City has brought me so many great memories and this job, in the 25^th anniversary of the 98 World Series team, is a special opportunity to manage at a very high level of baseball.”   

Entering their second season, the FerryHawks will look to Bush and his proven ability as an organizational hitting coach, his focus on data and his core belief in community efforts off the field to take the team and organization to the next level.  

“Our teams are going to play fast, high-contact, aggressive baseball.  The games will be entertaining to watch.  The players will be engaged in the community, and we will do our part to bring the game of baseball to all our communities on Staten Island.” said Bush 

As the FerryHawks look to the 2023 season opener on April 28th, Bush and the front office are focused on building a roster that reflects aggressive Homer Bush baseball but also continually engaging the community in all things FerryHawk.  FerryHawk fans can expect an entertaining brand of baseball to go along with numerous stadium renovations and upgrades including all new seats and group seating options.  

“We have the best view in baseball, all new seating options, a passionate fan base, and Homer Bush, we are ready to crush 2023”, said Team President Shuffler. 

FerryHawks ticket packages are on sale now, so make sure to lock in your spot for the 2023 season by visiting our website at ferryhawks.com.  

FerryHawks Motto: The Staten Island FerryHawks are a Major League Baseball partnered franchise that plays in the high-quality Atlantic League. Our mission is to create a home for everyone in the Staten Island community and solidify a fun and exciting family experience that fans will never forget. The FerryHawks will play their home games at the newly improved Staten Island University Hospital, Community Park. We are excited to have you and become part of our FerryHawk Family. #hawkCity