PERSONAL: Joseph Alan Vavra (pronounced VAH-vra)...wife Lesa (Heise), sons Tanner (7/6/89), Treysen (9/17/91) and Terrin (5/12/97)...1978 graduate of Chippewa Falls Senior (WI) High School...named captain and MVP in baseball during senior season...1985 graduate of University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in industrial technology with a concentration in plant engineering.
COACHING CAREER: Named Twins third base coach October 22, 2012...named Twins hitting coach October 27, 2005...served as Twins minor league field coordinator 2002-05...head coach at University of Wisconsin-Stout in 2001 before becoming interim director of player development for the Los Angeles Dodgers...minor league baserunning and bunting instructor for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2000...served as major league roving coach for first half of the 1999 season before serving as minor league field coordinator in the second half...began 1998 season as special assignment major league coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers, before becoming minor league field coordinator at mid-point of season...managed Single-A Yakima from 1994-97 and named Northwest League Manager of the Year in 1994 and 1996...led Yakima to Northern Division title in 1994 and Northwest League Championship in 1996...managed Single-A Vero Beach Dodgers in 1993...managed Single-A Yakima in the Northwest League in 1991-92...managed Rookie Great Falls Dodgers to consecutive league championships in 1989-90...named coach at Single-A Sarasota in 1987.
PLAYING CAREER: Played five seasons in the Dodgers organization from 1982-86...hit .307 (92-for-300) in 96 games for Double-A San Antonio in parts of two seasons.
PROFESSIONAL: Los Angeles Dodgers eighth round pick in the 1982 First-Year Player Draft; signed by scout Dale McReynolds.
