GaryMrMets
10-11-2002, 07:34 PM
http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/kc/news/kc_news.jsp?ymd=20021003&content_id=146151&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp
10/03/2002 1:19 pm ET
Royals set coaching staff for 2003
By Robert Falkoff / MLB.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals solidified their 2003 coaching staff Thursday by adding Jeff Pentland and Luis Silverio and retaining Bob Schaefer, John Cumberland, John Mizerock and Tom Gamboa from the 2002 staff.
Pentland takes over as hitting coach for Lamar Johnson, who was not retained. Pentland, 56, had worked as the hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs since 1997.
"Jeff understands and teaches the value of working the count to get in a positive hitter's count and improving on-base percentage without diminishing the aggressiveness of the hitter," Royals general manager Allard Baird said. "He has an individual teaching approach and adjusts to each hitter's style and role. He will be a great addition to our organization."
Johnson was the Royals hitting instructor for four years. He coached the Royals to a league-best 1,644 hits in 2000 and the club finished second in the league in batting with a .288 average. But Kansas City has struggled as a team offensively the last two seasons.
"I think it's important to say Lamar is a quality guy who did a lot for this organization," Baird said. "But we're going in a different direction. I think there were some things from an offensive standpoint we need to improve on. As far as philosophy, we've emphasized running deep counts. Base on balls is a by-product of that. We're going into Spring Training with more of a team offense approach. We want to really focus on getting into good hitting counts."
Pentland has worked in baseball for more than 30 years, beginning his career in college baseball where he had stints at Mesa (Ariz.) Community College, the University of California-Riverside and Arizona State. During his college coaching career, he worked with such players as Barry Bonds, Mike Devereaux, Pat Listach, Fernando Viña and Ken Landreaux.
Pentland says his philosophy is about more than just simply hitting.
"Our approach is that we'll be talking about offense, not just hitting," Pentland said. "The ability to score runs is tied to a lot of things besides just getting hits. Recognition skills, being aware of the strike zone, that all plays into having a good offensive club."
Prior to joining the Cubs in 1997, Pentland worked in the Mets and Marlins organizations. Pentland played professionally in the San Diego system from 1969-71.
Silverio, 45, fills a coaching spot vacated by Rich Dauer, who chose not to return so he could be closer to his family in Ohio.
The Royals know that Schaefer will be the bench coach for manager Tony Peña and Cumberland will be back as pitching coach after taking over on an interim basis last June. Silverio, Gamboa and Mizerock will take the first base, third base and bullpen coaching roles, although specific duties among that trio have not been finalized.
Silverio has spent 28 years in the organization. He served as coordinator of Dominican Republic operations this past season. Prior to that, he was Kansas City's Latin America scouting coordinator for nine seasons and was a coach and manager in the Royals system from 1983-99.
"Luis has been a fixture in our organization and has established himself as a valuable coach and manager," Baird said. "He understands what the Royals are trying to accomplish. Tony and I are pleased to add him to our Major League staff."
Robert Falkoff covers the Royals for MLB.com. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/images/2002/09/20/XDYXKzeG.jpg
Tom Gamboa (right) is one of four coaches retained by the Royals. (Ed Zurga/AP)
10/03/2002 1:19 pm ET
Royals set coaching staff for 2003
By Robert Falkoff / MLB.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals solidified their 2003 coaching staff Thursday by adding Jeff Pentland and Luis Silverio and retaining Bob Schaefer, John Cumberland, John Mizerock and Tom Gamboa from the 2002 staff.
Pentland takes over as hitting coach for Lamar Johnson, who was not retained. Pentland, 56, had worked as the hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs since 1997.
"Jeff understands and teaches the value of working the count to get in a positive hitter's count and improving on-base percentage without diminishing the aggressiveness of the hitter," Royals general manager Allard Baird said. "He has an individual teaching approach and adjusts to each hitter's style and role. He will be a great addition to our organization."
Johnson was the Royals hitting instructor for four years. He coached the Royals to a league-best 1,644 hits in 2000 and the club finished second in the league in batting with a .288 average. But Kansas City has struggled as a team offensively the last two seasons.
"I think it's important to say Lamar is a quality guy who did a lot for this organization," Baird said. "But we're going in a different direction. I think there were some things from an offensive standpoint we need to improve on. As far as philosophy, we've emphasized running deep counts. Base on balls is a by-product of that. We're going into Spring Training with more of a team offense approach. We want to really focus on getting into good hitting counts."
Pentland has worked in baseball for more than 30 years, beginning his career in college baseball where he had stints at Mesa (Ariz.) Community College, the University of California-Riverside and Arizona State. During his college coaching career, he worked with such players as Barry Bonds, Mike Devereaux, Pat Listach, Fernando Viña and Ken Landreaux.
Pentland says his philosophy is about more than just simply hitting.
"Our approach is that we'll be talking about offense, not just hitting," Pentland said. "The ability to score runs is tied to a lot of things besides just getting hits. Recognition skills, being aware of the strike zone, that all plays into having a good offensive club."
Prior to joining the Cubs in 1997, Pentland worked in the Mets and Marlins organizations. Pentland played professionally in the San Diego system from 1969-71.
Silverio, 45, fills a coaching spot vacated by Rich Dauer, who chose not to return so he could be closer to his family in Ohio.
The Royals know that Schaefer will be the bench coach for manager Tony Peña and Cumberland will be back as pitching coach after taking over on an interim basis last June. Silverio, Gamboa and Mizerock will take the first base, third base and bullpen coaching roles, although specific duties among that trio have not been finalized.
Silverio has spent 28 years in the organization. He served as coordinator of Dominican Republic operations this past season. Prior to that, he was Kansas City's Latin America scouting coordinator for nine seasons and was a coach and manager in the Royals system from 1983-99.
"Luis has been a fixture in our organization and has established himself as a valuable coach and manager," Baird said. "He understands what the Royals are trying to accomplish. Tony and I are pleased to add him to our Major League staff."
Robert Falkoff covers the Royals for MLB.com. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/images/2002/09/20/XDYXKzeG.jpg
Tom Gamboa (right) is one of four coaches retained by the Royals. (Ed Zurga/AP)