Dodgers Name Gregson as Pitching Coach

Continuing to promote from within, the Dodgers on Wednesday announced that minor league pitching coordinator Glenn Gregson will succeed Dave Wallace as pitching coach.

“We always try to stay within the organization, and he was our top choice,” Dodger Manager Bill Russell said of Gregson, who served as Russell’s pitching coach at triple-A Albuquerque in 1993.

“He’s been in our organization for a long time, and he knows the pitchers on our staff.”

Gregson, who has been with the organization since 1988, also succeeded Wallace as minor league pitching coordinator in 1995. Wallace last week accepted a position as assistant to the general manager of the New York Mets.

“I’ve aspired to reach the big leagues ever since I signed my first professional contract in 1972,” said Gregson, who pitched in the minor leagues for seven seasons until he retired in 1978.

“I’ve dreamed about this, and now I’m finally going to get that opportunity.”

Gregson said he and Wallace share many of the same philosophies, so he doesn’t expect to make any radical changes. But he hopes to help Dodger starters complete more games after they completed only six last season, ranking eighth in the National League.

Though this will be Gregson’s first experience in the major leagues, Dodger Executive Vice President Fred Claire isn’t concerned about Gregson’s transition.

“I don’t see that as a factor at all,” Claire said. “Glenn is a major league-quality person and a major league-quality pitching coach.”

Also on Wednesday, the Dodgers announced that coaches Joe Amalfitano, Reggie Smith, Mike Scioscia, Mark Cresse and Manny Mota will return next season.