Back where he belongs: Fairhope’s Stu Fuller returns to dugout after heart surgery AL.com 6 hrs ago In most spring seasons, that would not be unusual. Fuller has been the Pirates’ head baseball coach for the past 22 years. But this spring is not most springs. Fuller missed more than a month during a medical crisis that eventually led to open heart surgery on March 25. “It felt good to be back with the kids,” Fuller said after the 10-0 Fairhope win on Wednesday. “I didn’t do anything, but I was dressed and that, in itself, was a blessing. Even better, the kids played well.”