Jan. 21, 2005

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - The Kingsport Mets have announced that former University of North Carolina and major league catcher Jesse Levis will manage the team for the 2005 season.

Levis, 36, played part of nine seasons of Major League Baseball with the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers from 1992 through 2001. He finished his playing career last season in the Mets organization with the AAA Norfolk Tides. Levis was a member of the 1995 AL pennant champion Indian team. His best season came in 1998 where he hit .285 in 99 games with the Brewers.

A fourth-round draft pick in the 1989 amateur draft, Levis was a collegiate star at the University of North Carolina earning All-ACC and All-America honors. As a Tar Heel, he batted .333 in 163 games from 1987-89. Levis hit 17 home runs and drove in 93 runs in Chapel Hill. He picked up third-team ABCA All-America honors in 1989 and was a two-time all-conference pick.

Levis got his professional start in the Appy League with the Burlington Indians where he hit .344 in the summer of 89. Levis replaces longtime Mets outfielder Mookie Wilson who served as KMets skipper the last two seasons. Wilson was promoted last month within the organization to manage the Brooklyn Cyclones.

The KMets, who play in the Appalachian League, are the rookie league affiliate of the New York Mets. This summer will be the parent clubs 25th season in Kingsport. All home games are played at Hunter Wright Stadium.