ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -This wasn’t the scenario Andy Hawkins had in mind for his first coaching job in the big leagues.
Hawkins, who became the Texas Rangers’ new pitching coach late Friday, inherits a staff that came into Saturday’s game against Toronto with the worst ERA in baseball. He replaces Mark Connor, who was Hawkins’ pitching coach with the New York Yankees in 1991.
Hawkins admitted Saturday that it’s a bittersweet opportunity.
“I envisioned talking to my first staff in spring training,” said Hawkins, who had been the pitching coach for the Rangers’ Triple-A team since 2006. “I’m replacing a fine man. I had a lot of respect for him then and I have a lot more for him now.”
The Rangers fired Connor and bullpen coach Dom Chiti 45 minutes after Friday night’s game against the Blue Jays. Director of Pacific Rim scouting Jim Colborn, who has been the pitching coach for the Dodgers and Pirates, became the new bullpen coach.
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Friday that Hawkins and Colborn would fill the positions for the rest of the season and would receive consideration to retain the jobs in 2009.
Texas came into Saturday’s game with a 5.27 ERA, and the bullpen had a 5.01 ERA – the second-highest number in baseball.
“Mark and Dom are not the scapegoats,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “When the job doesn’t get done, the coaches feel it. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever been a part of.”
Hawkins had a career record of 84-91 in 10 major league seasons. He spent seven with the San Diego Padres before finishing his career with the Yankees and Athletics.
He was a Class-A pitching coach with the Rangers from 2001-04, then spent one season in the Royals organization before becoming Triple-A Oklahoma’s pitching coach in 2006.
Texas currently has three rookie pitchers in its starting rotation, and Hawkins had worked with them in the minor leagues.
“I’ve been with a lot of these guys for most of their career,” Hawkins said. “I’ve worked with them and have a relationship with them. I’m going to try to jell in this situation and hopefully throw out some ideas that work.”
The Rangers have battled through injuries in their rotation, using 13 different starters. Seven of them have been rookies.
Tommy Hunter, who made his first career start Friday, became the 27th pitcher to take the mound for Texas this season.
Texas has been able to overcome its pitching woes, and entered Saturday five games behind Boston in the wild card race thanks to an offense that leads the American League in runs.
“Things that have come up this year have been really unfortunate,” Rangers closer C.J. Wilson said. “But this has to do with our performance, not who coaches. We’re the ones who are underperforming.”
Add A Comment