Arizona Diamondbacks fire pitching coach Charles Nagy and first base coach Steve Sax
Oct 8, 2013, 4:51 AM | Updated: 5:13 pm
Following a second straight disappointing season, the Arizona Diamondbacks were expected to make some moves to shake up their coaching staff.
Late Monday, word leaked that they had done just that, and the team made the announcement Tuesday morning that it had relieved pitching coach Charles Nagy and first base coach Steve Sax of their duties.
AZDiamondbacks.com’s Steve Gilbert talked with Nagy Monday night.
“It’s been a great three years with the Diamondbacks,” Nagy said. “On behalf of me and my family, I’d like to thank the fans in Arizona for their support and the Diamondbacks organization for the opportunity.”
The moves come in the wake of back-to-back poor seasons from Diamondbacks pitchers, who collectively posted earned run averages just below 4.00 in 2012 and 2013, while blowing a major league-worst 29 saves last season.
Nagy spent three years as the Diamondbacks’ pitching coach and his pitchers finished just below National League average in ERA each year.
Sax was named the team’s first base coach in December 2012.