Lachemann Accepts Collins’ Job Offer

Angel pitcher Mark Langston called it “bizarre.” Former Angel Manager Marcel Lachemann admitted “it’s not your typical situation.”

But that didn’t prevent Lachemann from accepting new Manager Terry Collins’ offer to be the Angel pitching coach, which Lachemann was for nine years. He became manager in 1994.

Lachemann, 55, also had an offer to be the Chicago Cubs’ pitching coach, but after meeting for three hours with Collins Sunday, Lachemann decided Tuesday to return to Anaheim, despite the fact he had resigned as Angel manager Aug. 6.

“This doesn’t happen very often,” Lachemann said of the move from manager to pitching coach, “but it’s something Terry and I are comfortable with. I think we can make it work.”

It will take some getting used to, though.

“I don’t know, it’s a strange thing,” Langston said. “He was the manager last year, and the way things ended were not good. . . . but we’ve worked with him before and know his expertise is pitching.”

Shortly after Lachemann resigned, General Manager Bill Bavasi told him he’d like to have him back as pitching coach. Lachemann spent several weeks in September working with Angel prospects in the Arizona instructional league but waited to see who the new manager was before making a commitment.

“I had to see if we were compatible, and both of us had to be comfortable with the situation,” Lachemann said. “He had to want me back. I didn’t want it to be forced on him. After meeting Terry, that was the case.”

Bavasi said he was convinced, after discussions with Collins and Lachemann, that it will not be an awkward situation for the two, and Collins said he would in no way feel threatened by Lachemann’s presence.

“He told me he didn’t want the [manager] job, that he quit,” Collins said. “There’s no threat. He’s an impact coach and he’s very highly thought of. He’s a great place to start building your staff.”

Chuck Hernandez, fired as pitching coach the day Lachemann quit, works for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Joe Coleman, who replaced Hernandez, will return as an Angel scout.