Dave Magadan batted .282 with a .391 OBP in seven seasons with the Mets.
The Texas Rangers have dismissed hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh and hired Dave Magadan away from the Boston Red Sox.
Magadan had been the Red Sox hitting coach for six years, beginning in 2007 when they won the World Series. The Red Sox, who are in the process of looking for a manager, held an option on Magadan for 2013. But with their manager’s position in a state of flux, they allowed Magadan to interview with other teams.
“We feel we’ve really stepped up as an organization by bringing in one of the best — if not the best — at what Dave does and that’s teaching hitting,” Daniels said. “When you talk to people who have been with him and been around him, people who work with him and players who have played for him, they all say the same things. He’s not a paint-by-numbers guy, he’s got an individual plan for each player within the team concept of helping us win ballgames. He’s been very successful at it.”
“It’s a hard spot to fill,” Daniels said. “We’re excited to find the right guy.”
Magadan spent 16 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Mets, Marlins, Mariners, Astros, Cubs and Athletics, finishing with a career .288 batting average and a .390 on-base percentage. He was the Padres hitting coach in 2003-06 before joining the Red Sox.
It’s a shame we decided to bring all our coaches back before getting to see what other coaches were even available. Magadan would have been a nice pick-up for the Mets and a reunion of sorts on top of that. Too bad…
