Organizational Moves Announced

Post date: Nov 5, 2010 3:14:15 PM

Stephenie LaGrossa, the former "Survivor" contestant, joins broadcast team

The A's announced some long-anticipated organizational moves on Thursday, resulting in a modest-sized shakeup in the wake of the club's disappointing 2010 season and also as a result of some retirements and reassignments. On the Majors coaching staff of Manager Buck Showalter, who signed a new 5-year contract back in mid-summer, the team announced that bench coach Orel Hershiser and 1st base coach Tom Kotchman have decided on their own not to return for 2011. The club also announced that it was releasing hitting coach Dave Cash, whose single season in that position saw the hitting fall to dismal levels.

"We love Dave Cash" said Showalter, "It just became obvious to us that a number of the players simply weren't responding, and the hitting coach has to be able to make that connection with the players." The organization announced that Showalter would be bringing in long-time baseball man Don Money as his new bench coach. GM Matt Veasey announced that former bullpen coach Matt Walbeck, a favorite of the players, would move into the hitting coach position. Pitching coach Pat Borders will return in that capacity. On the bases, Randy Ready was promoted from his post as manager of AAA Wildwood to coach at 1st base. Brad Mills will return as the 3rd base coach. Replacing Walbeck in the bullpen will be John Russell. AA Lahaska manager Mickey Morandini will move up to AAA Wildwood in the same position to succeed Ready, and will himself be succeeded by Mark Parent. The general assistant coaching position previously manned by Holbert will now be filled by Dusty Wathan.

The club also announced a shakeup in it's broadcasting staff that affects the coaching staff. Both infield coach Kevin Stocker and outfield coach Geoff Jenkins were moved into the broadcasting area, with assistant coach Aaron Holbert taking over the infield duties and Milt Thompson hired to take over coaching the outfielders. Stocker will team with newly hired Todd Kalas as one half of the A's broadcast team. Scott Graham will return as the play-by-play man for the other half but the position of his color commentator has not been filled yet. Jenkins moves into the studio as a host/analyst where he will join main anchor Leslie Gudel Kemm, who steps out of the broadcast booth. The new field reporter will be former "Survivor" contestant and fiancee of former A's pitcher Kyle Kendrick, Stephenie LaGrossa. Danny Martinez will continue on the Spanish language radio broadcasts.

Scouting Director Mike Arbuckle and his entire staff were retained and all were given contract extensions, with Veasey lauding their recent work. "These guys rolled up their sleeves over the last 2-3 years in particular and have created an extremely strong Minors system, while also evaluating and recommending a number of the young ball players who we brought in and who now are vital to our future, such as Morrison and Stanton." Other than filling the remaining color commentator position for radio/tv broadcasts, a job that the club hopes to have filled by January at the latest, the A's organization is now set for 2011.