Butch Hobson, Chicago’s first manager in team history, led the Dogs to a fourth place finish in their inaugural 2018 season. Hobson has more than 30 years of experience in major and minor league baseball, including three seasons as manager of the Boston Red Sox.
Hobson most recently served as the manager of the Kane County Cougars, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Low-A affiliate. Previously, he spent 18 seasons managing in independent baseball with the Atlantic League’s Lancaster Barnstormers (2011-16) and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (2008-10), the Nashua Pride (Can-Am League 2006-07, Atlantic League 2000-05), and the Texas-Louisiana League’s Mobile BaySharks (1994), winning championships in 2014, 2007 and 2000.
The native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., also managed in affiliated baseball with the Boston, Philadelphia and New York Mets organizations.
Hobson played in the major leagues for Boston (1975-1980), California (1981) and the New York Yankees (1982), belting 30 home runs in 1977.
Year | Club | League | Affiliate | Level | Record | Finish | Playoffs |
1987 | Columbia | South Atlantic | NYM | Low-A | 64-75 | 10th/12 | |
1988 | Columbia | South Atlantic | NYM | Low-A | 74-63 | 5th/12 | |
1989 | New Britain | Eastern | BOS | AA | 60-76 | 8th/8 | |
1990 | New Britain | Eastern | BOS | AA | 72-67 | 4th/8 | Lost Finals |
1991 | Pawtucket | International | BOS | AAA | 79-64 | 2nd/8 | Lost Finals |
1992 | Boston | American | MLB | 73-89 | 11th/14 | ||
1993 | Boston | American | MLB | 80-82 | 9th/14 | ||
1994 | Boston | American | MLB | 54-61 | |||
1995 | Mobile | Tex.-La. | — | Independent | 40-59 | 8th/8 | |
1996 | Scranton | International | PHI | AAA | 70-72 | 3rd/10 | Lost Semis |
1999 | Saratosa | Florida State | BOS | High-A | 67-72 | 9th/14 | |
2000 | Nashua | Atlantic | — | Independednt | 82-58 | T-1st/8 | League Champions |
2001 | Nashua | Atlantic | — | Independednt | 68-58 | 3rd/8 | Lost Semis |
2002 | Nashua | Atlantic | — | Independednt | 54-71 | 7th/8 | |
2003 | Nashua | Atlantic | — | Independednt | 71-55 | 3rd/8 | Lost Finals |
2004 | Nashua | Atlantic | — | Independednt | 65-61 | T-5th/8 | Lost Semis |
2005 | Nashua | Atlantic | — | Independednt | 78-62 | T-3rd/8 | Lost Finals |
2006 | Nashua | Can-Am | — | Independednt | 40-48 | 7th/8 | |
2007 | Nashua | Can-Am | — | Independednt | 50-43 | 3d/10 | League Champions |
2008 | South Maryland | Atlantic | — | Independednt | 74-66 | T-1st/8 | |
2009 | South Maryland | Atlantic | — | Independednt | 79-61 | 2nd/8 | Lost Finals |
2010 | South Maryland | Atlantic | — | Independednt | 82-57 | 2nd/8 | Lost Semis |
2011 | Lancaster | Atlantic | — | Independednt | 69-56 | 3rd/8 | Lost Semis |
2012 | Lancaster | Atlantic | — | Independednt | 88-52 | 1st/8 | Lost Finals |
2013 | Lancaster | Atlantic | — | Independednt | 72-67 | 3rd/8 | |
2014 | Lancaster | Atlantic | — | Independednt | 81-59 | 2nd/8 | League Champions |
2015 | Lancaster | Atlantic | — | Independednt | 75-65 | 3rd/8 | Lost Semis |
2016 | Lancaster | Atlantic | — | Independednt | 67-73 | 6th/8 | |
2017 | Kane County | Midwest | ARI | Low-A | 72-65 | T-5th/16 | Lost Quarters |
2018 | Chicago | American Association | — | Independent | 45-54 | 8th/12 | — |
2019 | Chicago | American Association | — | Independent | 59-41 | 3rd/12 | — |