Rangers retain Hershiser on staff

ARLINGTON, Texas, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- New Texas Rangers Manager Buck Showalter has retained pitching coach Orel Hershiser and hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo.

The team also announced Tuesday that first base and outfield coach DeMarlo Hale and third base and infield coach Steve Smith will return. Mark Connor was named bullpen coach, and Don Wakamatsu bench coach.

"I am very pleased with the makeup of our coaching staff," said Showalter, who was named Rangers manager on Oct. 11. "I had the opportunity to visit extensively with DeMarlo, Orel, Rudy and Steve, and was extremely impressed with each. They all have a great knowledge of this organization, and I'm happy they are returning to the staff."

Hershiser replaced Oscar Acosta on June 22 after joining the Rangers last November as a special assistant to General Manager John Hart. Hershiser, a former National League Cy Young Award winner and the MVP of the with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988, will work with a staff that finished 12th in the American League with a 5.16 ERA.

Jaramillo is returning for his ninth season, the longest tenure of any Rangers coach. He is serving as the hitting coach for the major league All-Stars for their Japanese Tour.

Connor served under Showalter with the Arizona Diamondbacks. At Arizona, Connor was the pitching coordinator before the team's inaugural season, and the pitching coach from 1998-2000.

Wakamatsu spent the previous two seasons as minor league coordinator and roving catching instructor for the Anaheim Angels.