2009 Coaching Staff Announced

Post date: Nov 5, 2008 3:30:20 PM

Orel Hershiser was named to take on the role of bench coach, the top assistant to manager Buck Showalter

The A's have announced their coaching staff for the 2009 season, and there are a number of changes from the '08 staff that helped Manager Buck Showalter guide the club to the championship. Grady Little, who was Showalter's top lieutenant the past few years and the team's bench coach, is retiring. Also retiring is 3rd base coach and original A's manager Larry Bowa. Hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo will not have his contract renewed.

To replace Little as the top assistant and bench coach, Showalter has turned to former big league pitcher and broadcaster Orel Hershiser. The new hitting instructor is former big leaguer Dave Cash. The new 3rd base coach will be Brad Mills. Returning in their roles will be 1st base coach Tom Kotchman, pitching coach Pat Borders, and bullpen coach Matt Walbeck.

The organization also announced the formal move of the AA Minors club from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where they had played for ten seasons as the Pelicans. The AA team is moving in to a new facility just completed in Bucks County, PA and will be known as the Lahaska Peddlers.