MizeMan11
06-22-2002, 05:16 PM
PITTSBURGH -- The Rangers named Orel Hershiser as their new pitching coach Saturday.
"Orel has a strong winning pedigree, a passion for the game and he articulates well," Rangers general manager John Hart said.
The Rangers also considered roving pitching instructor Bob Cluck and Triple-A pitching coach Lee Tunnell. Rangers manager Jerry Narron spoke with Tunnell and Hershiser before Friday's game against Pittsburgh.
"Orel Hershiser will be a great addition to our coaching staff," Narron said. "He was one of the most respected pitchers during a very successful major league career and he beings a wealth of knowledge to this position. He worked with our club extensively in spring training and is very familiar with the staff. I believe that Orel will be a very positive asset to our club as we go forward." Hart said he was looking for someone who is familiar with the players, their mechanics and the dynamics of the team.
Hershiser fits that description.
He was hired by Hart during the offseason as a pitching consultant and has been a constant presence on the field and in the front office at both the Major League and minor-league levels since Spring Training.
As a player, Hershiser won 204 games and was the National League Championship Series and World Series MVP in 1988. He also won the NL Cy Young Award that season. He took home ALCS MVP honors as a member of the Cleveland Indians seven years later.
The Rangers dismissed Oscar Acosta as pitching coach Thursday night because of a "difference in philosophy" with Narron. Bullpen coach Jamie Quirk served as interim pitching coach Friday.
"Orel has a strong winning pedigree, a passion for the game and he articulates well," Rangers general manager John Hart said.
The Rangers also considered roving pitching instructor Bob Cluck and Triple-A pitching coach Lee Tunnell. Rangers manager Jerry Narron spoke with Tunnell and Hershiser before Friday's game against Pittsburgh.
"Orel Hershiser will be a great addition to our coaching staff," Narron said. "He was one of the most respected pitchers during a very successful major league career and he beings a wealth of knowledge to this position. He worked with our club extensively in spring training and is very familiar with the staff. I believe that Orel will be a very positive asset to our club as we go forward." Hart said he was looking for someone who is familiar with the players, their mechanics and the dynamics of the team.
Hershiser fits that description.
He was hired by Hart during the offseason as a pitching consultant and has been a constant presence on the field and in the front office at both the Major League and minor-league levels since Spring Training.
As a player, Hershiser won 204 games and was the National League Championship Series and World Series MVP in 1988. He also won the NL Cy Young Award that season. He took home ALCS MVP honors as a member of the Cleveland Indians seven years later.
The Rangers dismissed Oscar Acosta as pitching coach Thursday night because of a "difference in philosophy" with Narron. Bullpen coach Jamie Quirk served as interim pitching coach Friday.