ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

‘Glad to be home’: Chip Hale introduced as Arizona Diamondbacks’ new manager

Oct 13, 2014, 11:04 PM | Updated: Oct 14, 2014, 1:36 am

Follow @CraigAZSports...

PHOENIX — As he put on his No. 3 Arizona Diamondbacks uniform, Chip Hale smiled.

“Feels like coming home again,” he said.

It had been five years since Hale last wore the Sedona red. Back then, he was the D-backs’ third base/infield coach. Now, he’s the organization’s manager, introduced at a press conference Monday at Chase Field.

“It was an exciting time to interview. I’ve done it a couple of times and really felt good when I walked into that room,” he said. “I felt like this is where I belong, so I’m just glad to be home.”

Though Hale, 49, has an extensive minor league managerial record — which includes the 2006 Pacific Coast League and Triple-A Championship — this is his first opportunity at the MLB level.

Following his first stint with the D-backs, Hale served as the New York Mets’ third base/infield coach in 2010-11. He was the Oakland A’s bench coach from 2012-14, where he was reunited with manager Bob Melvin, whom he served under for three seasons (2007-09) with the D-backs.

“(Hale) was at the top of a really significant list of candidates,” said chief baseball officer Tony LaRussa before thanking the eight other candidates who interviewed for the position: Sandy Alomar, Jr., Jay Bell, Tim Bogar, Andy Green, Joe McEwing, Phil Nevin, Jim Tracy and Turner Ward.

Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart touted Hale’s 28 years of professional baseball experience that included a 12-year playing career highlighted by seven seasons in the majors.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Diamondbacks

Lourdes Gurriel Jr....

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks keep good times rolling with 14-run inning, Opening Day rout of Rockies

What the Diamondbacks accomplished in the third inning against the Rockies on Thursday night was completely new for those in the ballpark. 

1 hour ago

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. flips his bat during Arizona Diamondbacks' 2024 Opening Day...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks score 14 runs in a single inning to beat Rockies on Opening Day

The Arizona Diamondbacks set franchise marks with 13 hits and 14 runs in the third inning of their 2024 Opening Day game against the Rockies.

4 hours ago

Blaze Alexander...

Alex Weiner

Blaze Alexander did all he could to make Diamondbacks’ Opening Day roster

Diamondbacks infielder Blaze Alexander put together a spring that made it too difficult for the team to send him back to the minor leagues.

8 hours ago

Ketel Marte celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Ketel Marte to lead off Arizona Diamondbacks’ Opening Day lineup

The Arizona Diamondbacks' Opening Day lineup is set ahead of their matchup against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

11 hours ago

Jordan Montgomery throws a pitch...

Tyler Drake

Hall: Diamondbacks’ addition of Jordan Montgomery ‘made a lot of sense’

The Diamondbacks' addition of Jordan Montgomery puts a bow on a rotation that should be in the conversation for the top spot across MLB.

13 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable picks: One Diamondbacks young player to watch in 2024

Which Arizona Diamondbacks player should continue an upward trend in 2024? Gabriel Moreno, Brandon Pfaadt and Alek Thomas are possibilities.

14 hours ago

‘Glad to be home’: Chip Hale introduced as Arizona Diamondbacks’ new manager