faba Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Report: Dodgers to change hitting coaches at midseason ESPN.com news services Updated: July 9, 2008, 1:05 PM ET Comment Email Print The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly poised to change hitting coaches at midseason for the second consecutive year. The Dodgers, whose offense has struggled this season, will replace Mike Easler with Don Mattingly when the team returns from the All-Star break, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing an anonymous source close to the situation. Mattingly's first game would be at Arizona on July 18. Manager Joe Torre declined comment when asked about the expected change, the Times reported. The Dodgers are tied for 10th in batting average (.256) in the 16-team National League, 13th in runs scored (371), 10th in on-base percentage (.323) and second to last in total bases. Mattingly, who was on Torre's staff with the New York Yankees and at one point was considered his likely successor as Yankees manager, followed Torre to L.A. as hitting coach. But he resigned from the Dodgers' coaching staff in January to devote attention to family matters, as he was in the midst of a divorce. He remained on the Dodgers' staff as a special assignment coach and joined the team on the road when it played near Indiana, where he lives. But the Times reported that Mattingly has told the Dodgers he is ready to coach for the rest of the season. Mattingly's agent, Ray Schulte, did not return a phone message Tuesday, the Times reported. Easler, who was hired after Mattingly's resignation, is expected to be reassigned elsewhere in the Dodgers' organization, according to the report. The Dodgers, who replaced Eddie Murray at hitting coach with Bill Mueller last season, have gone through eight hitting coaches in 10 seasons, not including Mattingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Dierking Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Maybe part of their problem in hitting can be assigned to giving Andruw Jones and Juan Pierre ridiculous contracts. Mattingly will have something to work with Ethier, Kemp and Loney, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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