Cubs hire Rothschild as pitching coach

CHICAGO, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Larry Rothschild, fired as manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays early in the 2001 season, was named Thursday as pitching coach of the Chicago Cubs.

Rothschild replaced Oscar Acosta, who was fired Oct. 3 following a prolonged feud with Cubs manager Don Baylor. Acosta was in his second season as Chicago's pitching coach.

The first manager of the Devil Rays, Rothschild posted a 205-294 record in three-plus seasons with the club. But he has had success as a pitching coach, earning World Series rings in that capacity with the 1990 Cincinnati Reds and 1997 Florida Marlins.

In 1997, the Marlins' staff posted a 3.83 ERA and allowed a major league-low 131 homers.

After being fired by the Devil Rays, Rothschild rejoined the Marlins' organization as a consultant. He has 16 years of coaching experience, including 11 on the major league level.

Rothschild played professionally from 1975-82, including seven major league appearances during brief stints with the Detroit Tigers in 1981-82.