Yankees Fire Thunder Manager
by Mike Ashmore
October 12, 2006 - Hunterdon County Democrat

When the New York Yankees sent outfielder Hideki Matsui to Trenton for the Eastern League playoffs, you could have made a case that the organization was putting winning over development.

So imagine Bill Masse's surprise when the now-former Thunder skipper was let go by the Yankees after being accused of doing the same.

Masse, the seventh manager in Thunder history, did all that could have been asked of him and then some during his brief tenure with the team.

In 2005, Masse led Trenton to their first playoff appearance since 1999 and first as a Yankees affiliate. He did the same this season as well, but ultimately lost both series to the Portland Sea Dogs, affiliated with Boston.

Ironically, this isn't the first time Masse's accomplishments have been overlooked by the Yankee organization.

He played seven seasons in the Yankees organization as an outfielder, and was named the team's Minor League Player of the Year in 1993 while at Triple-A Columbus.

But Masse would never advance past Triple-A despite spending four seasons there, the organization unable to find room for who was once the best player in their farm system. Sadly, the process repeated itself again as Masse was let go after being told he wouldn't receive consideration for the manager's position in Triple-A.

Dave Miley currently holds the position at the highest level of the minors, and is now expected to stay with the team when they move from Columbus to Scranton Wilkes-Barre for the 2007 season.

Masse was unavailable for comment at press time.

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