Boston Sports Extra

The New Sox Coaching Staff starts fresh

The Red Sox coaching staff has been filling up quickly with the 2017 officially coming to an end. Most of the incoming staff has ties to the organization in some way. Here are the new faces:

Alex Cora

Get to know him and start loving him Sox Nation. You’re looking at the new manager for the Red Sox. Not only is he qualified for the job, given his recent success as the bench coach for the Astros, but during his baseball career, he also played for the Sox. Furthermore, Cora is aware of the strong bond between the sports teams and the fans in Boston. He knows what it is like to play a game at America’s ballpark. Cora was part of one of the most well known teams of Boston, the 2007 team. Sox Nation is looking to Alex Cora to create his 2018 coaching staff.

Dana LeVangie

He’s one on the few names you may recognize, he just finished his fifth season as the Red Sox bullpen coach. LeVangie will now be the pitching coach for the 2018 season. It is known that the Sox bullpen has had its ups and downs, and Dana has been witness to it. Hopefully, with the new set of coaches, there will be a more cohesive relationship between the bullpen and starting pitchers. I believe with the right support, LeVangie will continue to bring a strong bullpen in Boston.

Brian Bannister

Bannister was brought in a few years ago by the Sox, and is now looking to complete his first full season as the assistant pitching coach. His family screams baseball, with his father, two brothers, and uncle playing in the Majors. Bannister was hired as a scout in 2015, and is familiar with the new players on the team. He has seen numerous pitchers come and go throughout his time with the Sox.

Tim Hyers

Hyers is entering his first year as Boston’s hitting coach. He has an extensive background. He has spent the past two years as assistant hitting coach with the Dodgers, in addition to spending seven seasons with the Sox. Not only has Hyers coached Major League teams, but he has also coached in the Minors as well. He played for the Padres, Tigers and the Marlins, as a first baseman and outfielder from 1994-1999.

Victor Rodriguez

He is entering his sixth season as assistant hitting coach for the Sox organization. Boston has led in runs (3113), and doubles (1282), since Rodriguez has been a part of the team. Rodriguez had his start with coaching back in 1995, with the triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. Victor was signed by Baltimore in 1977, at age 15, and proceeded to play for the Orioles, Padres, Cardinals, Phillies, Marlins and the Red Sox, until the end of his playing career in 1995.

Tom Goodwin

Goodwin is here to start his first season as first base coach for the Boston Red Sox. Tim Goodwin was a base running coordinator for the Red Sox organization in the minors, from 2008-2011. He played 14 seasons, from 1991-2004, with the Dodgers, Royals, Rangers, Rockies, Giants and Cubs. Goodwin has been to the World Series, in the top for number of stolen bases, and was on an Olympic gold medal team during his career.

Ron Roenicke

Roenicke is a name that I personally am excited to see as a part of the Sox organization. Ron Roenicke is looking to start his first season as the Red Sox third base coach. Roenicke has had experience both being a manager, and a base coach. He coached the 2012 NL All Star team, and has managed minor league teams. He spent 8 seasons playing in the majors with the Dodgers, Mariners, Padres, Giants, Phillies and the Reds (1981-1988). Roenicke should be a positive addition to the 2018 coaching staff.

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NEW COACHING STAFF

On Thursday, the morning after the Houston Astros World Series victory, Alex Cora went to work as the new manager of the Red Sox. The Red Sox added 3 new names to the coaching staff, and still need a pitching and a hitting coach.

Bench Coach

Ron Roenicke was Alex Cora’s choice to be the bench coach for the 2018 season. Although it may not be a splashy choice, it is likely a good hire. Alex Cora has no managerial experience. Bringing aboard Roenicke, the Red Sox now have a bench coach who managed for over 4 seasons in Milwaukee. During his time in Milwaukee, Roenicke finished with a winning record, and made the postseason once. In addition to his managerial experience, he also brings a little bit of postseason experience. Cora also has familiarity with Roenicke. Ron Roenicke was Alex Cora’s manager in the minor leagues, back in 1997 and 1998. A manager has to be comfortable with his bench coach, and Cora got the man he wanted.

First Base Coach

The Red Sox brought Tom Goodwin back to the organization. Goodwin has spent the last six seasons coaching 1st base for the New York Mets. Before that, Tom Goodwin was a coach for the Lowell Spinners for four seasons. I believe Goodwin will be of most use not as first base coach, but in his role as base running and outfield instructor. It is no secret the Red Sox ran into a lot of outs on the basepaths last season. Goodwin was brought in to help clean that up. When I was a kid, Goodwin was a good defensive outfielder, and a very good base stealer for the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers. Hopefully he can impart some of his wisdom on the young Sox.

12 Apr 1998: Outfielder Tom Goodwin of the Texas Rangers in action during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Credit: Stephen Dunn

Third Base Coach

Carlos Febles gets a promotion to the big leagues, and continues his rise through the Red Sox organization. Febles has been with the team since 2007. He spent the first four seasons as a hitting coach in the organization, for 3 different teams. Next, he was named the manager for the Lowell Spinners in 2011. Febles managed in both Greenville and Salem for 2 seasons. This past season, he managed the AA Portland Sea Dogs. This marks his first opportunity at the big league level, and given his steady promotions, he is an interesting name added to the team. In addition to his work as the third base coach, Febles will also be working with infielders as an instructor. Maybe he can work with Devers on making those throws across the diamond.

PORTLAND, ME – Sea Dogs manager Carlos Febles points to home base as he talks to Josh Tobias (24) during the Sea Dogs game against the Altoona Curve at Hadlock Field. (Staff photo by Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)

Mike Lowell

One final note of the day; Dave Dombrowski mentioned Mike Lowell would be hired by the team. He did not say what role Lowell would be working, it is yet to be known in what role he will serve. I would imagine he will be in a behind the scenes role, maybe along the lines of what Jason Varitek has been the last few seasons. Whatever role he plays, this is a good hire. Mike Lowell is an even-keeled, well liked former player.

Could Mike Lowell be serving in a similar capacity to the one Jason Varitek has?