Dodgers hire Sweeney as “assistant coach”
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There are no assistant coaches in baseball. There is no head coach, just a manager, so there is no need to identify a coach as an assistant.
Until today, that is. The Dodgers just hired Mark Sweeney, who hit .130 for the team last season, as an assistant coach.
There’s a reason for the terminology: The Dodgers already are at their limit of coaches, as mandated by Major League Baseball, so Sweeney cannot be in uniform or in the dugout during regular-season games. The Dodgers’ press release follows:
CAMELBACK RANCH - GLENDALE -- Mark Sweeney, one of the premiere pinch-hitters in baseball history, today announced his retirement after a 14-year Major League playing career. The 39-year-old will now join the Dodgers field staff as an Assistant Coach. General Manager Ned Colletti made the announcement. ‘We are excited to be able to keep Mark Sweeney in the Dodger organization and we congratulate him on his retirement from his playing career,’ said Colletti. ‘With 14 years of big league experience, he will bring some very valuable baseball knowledge to our staff.’ Sweeney will be in uniform for all pre-game workouts during the regular season, and will also serve as an instructor during Spring Training. Sweeney will serve as a liaison between the Dodgers’ advance scout and the club, including series preparation. ‘I truly enjoyed my experience last season with the Dodgers, Joe Torre, and his staff,’ said Sweeney. ‘I look forward to the opportunity to continue that association and to give something back to the game I enjoy so much.’ Sweeney ranks second in baseball history with 175 pinch-hits behind only Lenny Harris (212), who was hired by the Dodgers on Oct. 31, 2008, as the Senior Hitting Coach at Camelback Ranch –- Glendale. With Sweeney, Harris, and longtime Dodger coach Manny Mota, the Dodgers now have as coaches the top three pinch hitters of all-time. Mota logged 155 pinch-hits during his career, and retired as the all-time leader in Major League history before being surpassed by Harris and Sweeney. Sweeney batted .254 with 42 homers and 250 RBI in 1,218 games with St. Louis (1995-97), San Diego (1997-98, 2002, 2005), Cincinnati (1999), Milwaukee (2000-01), Colorado (2003-04), San Francisco (2006-07), and the Dodgers (2007-08). The left-handed hitter also is baseball’s all-time leader with 102 pinch-RBI. Sweeney hit .258 (175-for-679) as a pinch-hitter in his career. He appeared in three postseasons, including one World Series with San Diego in 1998.
-- Bill Shaikin