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Post date: Jan 14, 2018 4:33:35 PM
Russell (L) becomes the new bench coach under manager Buck Showalter
GM Matt Veasey announced changes to the Philadelphia Athletics front office and coaching staff on Thursday.
John Russell (56), formerly a mutli-roled assistant coach for the team, will be replacing Larry Bowa as skipper Buck Showalter's primary Bench Coach. Russell's former position will not be filled. Bowa, who managed the team in it's first-ever 1998 season and has been with the club ever since, will move upstairs to an advisory position to GM Matt Veasey. Also hired in an advistory role was former A's manager Paul Molitor. Bowa and Molitor are expected to join Showalter in making both long-term directional and short-term personnel recommendations to Veasey.
Longtime Hitting Coach Rudy Jaramillo is retiring. The A's have added 12-year MLB veteran Turner Ward (52) to fill that position on the staff. Not coming back for 2018 are Infield Coach Aaron Holbert, Outfield Coach Milt Thompson, and Third Base Coach Pat Listach.
New will be Infield Coach Howie Clark (43) and Third Base Coach Bobby Dickerson (52) at those roles. The final new addition to the staff for 2018 is a former Athletics player. J.D. Drew was the A's starting right fielder from 2000-02, and the club's starting center fielder in 2004. A starter for the 2002 WFBL Championship team, Drew (41) has been hired as the club's new Outfield Coach. A talented offensive performer, Drew's defense was impeccable, an underrated piece to his overall game.
"I discussed it with Mr. Veasey" said Showalter. "We think that, especially considering our young position player core, we wanted to have a few younger members of our coaching staff. Hopefully they can bring renewed energy to those roles."
Returning from the 2017 staff for another go-around in 2018 will be Pitching Coach Dave Righetti and Assistant Pitching Coach Mark Prior, First Base Coach Mickey Morandini, and Bullpen Coach Dana LeVangie.
There were no changes to the organization's Scouting staff or Minor League managerial and coaching staffs. Remaining in those roles will be the following:
SCOUTING
Director of Scouting: Mike Arbuckle
West Region Scout: Mike Lieberthal
East Region Scout: Doug Glanville
Midwest Region: Todd Pratt
Southern Region: Chris James
South/Central America-Caribbean: Tomas Perez
Asia/Pacific Islands: Tadahito Iguchi
Europe: Lance Painter
MINORS
(AAA) Myrtle Beach Pelicans....Manager: Brad Mills
(AA) Wildwood Waves....Manager: Mark Parent
(A) Clearwater Phillies.....Manager: Chris Coste
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