Diamondbacks hire Dave Magadan as hitting coach
Nov 25, 2015, 11:02 AM
Texas Rangers batting coach Dave Magadan watches members of the team take batting practice before a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Aug. 16, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The Arizona Diamondbacks chose Dave Magadan to be their new hitting coach.
Magadan will replace Turner Ward, who left the team earlier this month.
The 53-year-old Magadan comes to Arizona after spending the last three seasons as the hitting coach for the Texas Rangers. He has served in the same capacity for the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox, as well.
“Dave Magadan brings a wealth of experience to our club, and I believe he has the knowledge to take our offense to the next level,” D-backs manager Chip Hale said in a press release. “In the interview process, I was very impressed with his passion for the game.”
Last season, the D-backs ranked second in the NL with 720 runs scored. Their .264 batting average ranked third, as did their .738 OPS (on base+slugging percentage).
Magadan played in 1,582 games over the course of 16 Major League seasons with the New York Mets, Florida Marlins, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, Oakland A’s and San Diego Padres from 1986 to 2001.
