Chili Davis is the guy.
The Red Sox officially named Davis their new major league hitting coach Thursday. The club also announced Victor Rodriguez will return for his third season as Boston’s assistant hitting coach.
Davis spent the last three seasons serving as the Oakland Athletics’ big league hitting coach. The A’s finished third among American League teams in runs scored in both 2014 (729) and 2013 (767). Davis served as Triple-A Pawtucket’s hitting coach in 2011, so his hiring is a homecoming of sorts.
Davis had a very successful playing career, winning three World Series titles and earning three All-Star selections. The switch-hitting outfielder/designated hitter slugged 350 home runs over the course of 19 seasons with the San Francisco Giants (1981-87), California Angels (1988-90, 1993-96), Minnesota Twins (1991-92), Kansas City Royals (1997) and New York Yankees (1998-99).
Rodriguez is entering his 21st season in the Red Sox organization. He spent his first 18 years in Boston’s player development system before joining manager John Farrell’s staff in 2013.
“Chili’s experience and success as both a player and a coach make him a valuable addition to our staff, and we are excited to have him working with our hitters,” Farrell said, according to a team-issued press release. “In addition, we look forward to having Victor return to the staff. In his time here, he has built strong relationships with our younger players, some of which date back to his days working in our minor league system.”
Davis replaces Greg Colbrunn, who opted not to return as Boston’s hitting coach in 2015. The Red Sox finished near the bottom of the AL in several offensive categories in 2014, including runs (634, 11th), batting average (.244, 13th) and OPS (.684, 13th).
Photo via Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports Images
