Lachemann Adds Two Familiar Faces to Angel Coaching Staff

Angel Manager Marcel Lachemann hired his older brother, Bill Lachemann, and former Angel infielder Rick Burleson to be on his coaching staff next season.

Bill Lachemann, who has been in the Angel organization for 10 years, will become the bullpen coach. Burleson, who played six years for the Angels, will coach at third base.

Hall of Famer Rod Carew was retained as hitting coach, as were bench coach Bobby Knoop, pitching coach Chuck Hernandez and Joe Maddon, who will move from the bullpen to first base.

Third base coach Ken Macha and first base coach Max Oliveras were fired as coaches but offered positions as roving minor league coaches. If the Angels had not kept Macha on in some capacity, he would have been ineligible to manage the Tempe Rafters in the Arizona Fall League, which includes 12 players from the Angels and Dodgers.

“That showed a lot of class on their part,” Macha said. “At least I’ll still get to manage in Arizona, and hopefully that will allow me to land on my feet.

“I got calls from Rod Carew and John Wathan, and talked to Buck (Rodgers), and everybody told me things will turn out for the best.