The Diamondbacks were in need of a new manager, the first of the Tony La Russa/Dave Stewart era in Arizona. Once again, someone with Athletics roots will take residence in a position of power in the D-backs organization, as A's bench coach Chip Hale will be the new manager. USA Today's Bob Nightengale was the first to report the story, with Jon Heyman confirming.
Diamondbacks hire Chip Hale as manager
The A’s bench coach heads to Arizona for a promotion to replace the fired Kirk Gibson.
Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE
The Diamondbacks had interviewed 11 different candidates for the position to fill the void left by the fired Kirk Gibson. Sandy Alomar Jr., Jay Bell, Rangers' interim manager Tim Bogar, Phil Nevin, Lorenzo Bundy, Don Wakamatsu, Joe McEwing, Andy Green, Turner Ward, and managerial veteran Jim Tracy were all interviewed along with Hale. He was previously in the Diamondbacks' organization as a coach under manager Bob Melvin in 2006, and was manager at the Triple-A level for the D-backs, where he once won PCL manager of the year honors.
Hale's roots in the state go deeper, as he was also an infielder for the University of Arizona, where he played in every single one of his team's games from 1984 through 1987, including in their championship 1986 campaign. Hale was drafted by the Twins in the 17th round of the 1987 draft, and finished his professional playing career a decade later with the Dodgers after 333 big league games.
Hale was also at the plate when Rodney McCray did this in Portland in 1991:
You see that? That’s Hale motivating a player to run through a wall to make a play. He’s perfect manager material!
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