News
Lansford dismissed as hitting coach
Giants finish 13th in NL in scoring, last in walks
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
10/15/09 12:11 AM ET
SAN FRANCISCO -- Having completed a season in which they ranked at or toward the bottom of many significant offensive categories in the National League, the Giants announced Wednesday that hitting coach Carney Lansford will not return next year. "I have tremendous respect for Carney," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who informed Lansford of the organization's move. "This wasn't an easy decision, but at this point, we just feel that we're going to go with a different voice." A season in which subpar hitting threatened to nullify the efforts of one of the Major Leagues' strongest pitching staffs left the Giants bent on changing their offensive direction. San Francisco ended up 88-74 while finishing 13th in scoring, 14th in slugging percentage and last in on-base percentage, mainly due to drawing the fewest walks in the Majors. Bochy said the Giants are examining candidates from within the organization and outside to replace Lansford, 52, who joined the Giants before the 2008 season. Triple-A Fresno hitting coach Hensley Meulens and senior advisor of player personnel Rick Down would appear to be obvious candidates. An intriguing possibility would be Rudy Jaramillo, who declined the Texas Rangers' offer to remain as hitting coach, a position he has held since 1995. Entering this season, Rangers hitters have accumulated 17 Silver Slugger Awards, four Most Valuable Player Awards, three home run titles and three RBI crowns during Jaramillo's tenure. If the Giants decide to pursue Jaramillo, they'll have plenty of competition. The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros, with whom Jaramillo served his first hitting-coach stint, are said to be interested in him. Bochy said he also spoke to the other members of his coaching staff on Wednesday and intends to welcome back all of them -- pitching coach Dave Righetti, bench coach Ron Wotus, third-base coach Tim Flannery, first-base coach Roberto Kelly, bullpen coach Mark Gardner and bullpen catcher Bill Hayes -- in 2010.Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
