Sources: Texas Rangers settle on Clint Hurdle as hitting coach
12:13 PM CST on Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Former Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle is expected to be named the Rangers hitting coach, three sources said Tuesday.
Hurdle emerged from a group of four finalists that also included Thad Bosley, Gerald Perry and Rusty Greer, the sources said. Each interviewed Monday at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
Hurdle declined comment Tuesday night, and general manager Jon Daniels said the Rangers haven't settled on who will replace Rudy Jaramillo.
The Rangers have not told any of the candidates that they have been eliminated from consideration.
"We have not yet offered the job to anyone," Daniels said. "We're finishing up our due diligence. When we've made a final decision, we'll communicate first to the four candidates and then make an annoucement."
That annoucement probably is on hold until after the World Series. The Rangers are content to obey the wishes of Major League Baseball, which requests that teams avoid making news on World Series game days.
Hurdle could be introduced Thursday if New York beats Philadelphia tonight and clinches the world title. But if the Phillies force a seventh game, the Rangers' announcement would be on hold until Friday.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]The Rangers have been without a hitting coach since Oct. 14, when Jaramillo turned down a one-year offer for $545,000 to remain with the club for a 16th season. He signed a three-year deal worth $2.4 million a week later with the Chicago Cubs.
Hurdle instructed Rockies hitters from 1997 to 2002 before he was promoted to replace Buddy Bell as manager. Hurdle guided Colorado to the World Series in 2007, but he was fired in May after a sluggish start by a team that went on to win the National League wild-card berth.