Had a chance to speak Monday with new BlueClaws manager Chris Truby, who has been promoted to Lakewood from short-season Williamsport for the 2011 season.

What was your reaction when you heard you were coming to Lakewood?
Obviously excited. It’s a place that from what I understand everyone has rave reviews about and it’s a step up, a progression in my career. You want to get to the point where you move up into a full season and going to Lakewood, where they’ve won two championships in a row and get the fan support that they do is exciting.

When did you decide that you wanted to get into coaching/managing?
I think towards the end of my playing career. When I was in there for the last few years, it’s something that I was looking into and hopeful of going through. In the off-season, I give lessons and work with kids. It’s what I do. I love baseball and I like coaching so it was the natural progression which you hope to have.

What have you heard about Lakewood from others in the organization?
Talking to Dusty [Wathan] and Mark [Parent], it’s a great place to play, you play in a nice stadium. The travel is a little bit different, but that comes with the territory. Everyone that I’ve talked to has had nothing but good things to say. I’m looking forward to getting up there and experiencing it for myself.

What can fans expect to see from a Chris Truby managed team?
All I can guarantee and expect is that we are going to be prepared. The guys are going to come to the field every day ready to work. They’re going to get their work in and they’re going to play hard. We don’t know who’s coming, but the group I had last year all busted their butts and played hard. The group from 2009 was the same way. That’s all you can expect, be ready to work, come to the ballpark and prepare themselves and they’re ready to play.

What managers or players did you look up to from your playing career that might influence the way you manage?
I looked at a lot of different players. I came through as a player and worked with a lot of good manangers and good coahces. You take something from everyone that you’ve had experience with, the Manny Actas, who instilled a great work ethic, Jim Pankovits. There are a number of managers that I’ve had that influence how you prepare yourself as a player and as a manager.

One of your players from last year, Cesar Hernandez, was added to the Phillies 40-man roster last week. What does he bring to the table?
He was one of the best players in the league. Talent wise, he can run, he can swing the bat. He was the best in the league defensively. He stole bases, hit for average, played good defense. He’s got some tools. He’s younger and he’s got ability. He was a big part of the club we had last year, obviously.