The Saltdogs hitters have enjoyed solid success in Carcione’s seasons in Lincoln. The ‘Dogs improved from a .254 batting average before he arrived, to .262 his first season, to .270 his second season. The Saltdogs smacked 97 home runs in 2017 and then clubbed 116 homers in 2018 — the second-highest tally in franchise history.

Carcione played 10 seasons as a catcher and corner infielder after being selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 10th round of the 1988 MLB draft out of Texas A&M, reaching as high as Double-A. After wrapping up his playing career with the Sioux City Explorers in 1998, Carcione was hired as an assistant coach for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in 1999 and has been coaching ever since.

The Chicago-native previously served as Director of Baseball Operations at Northern Illinois University in 2015.

Carcione spent two seasons as pitching coach for Sioux City in 2006-07 and handled managerial duties for the Ottawa Rapidz (Can-Am League) in 2009.