Padres hire Mark McGwire as bench coach

New San Diego Padres manager Andy Green has hired former Los Angeles Dodgers hitting coach Mark McGwire to be his bench coach.

McGwire had been in the Dodgers' dugout the past three seasons as hitting coach, but his contract was not renewed.

He was being considered as a candidate to become Arizona's hitting coach, but took himself out of the running.

The 52-year-old McGwire lives in Southern California and staying close to home played a role in his decision

McGwire is replacing Dave Roberts, who spent the last two seasons as the Padres' bench coach and ironically was named the new Dodgers manager on Monday.