DENVER, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- After posting the highest earned run average in the major leagues, the Colorado Rockies have decided to switch pitching coaches.
Jim Wright, who spent the last three seasons as pitching coach of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox of the Class AAA Pacific Coaast League, was named as the replacement for Marcel Lachemann.
The 60-year-old Lachemann has accepted a position as special assistant to general manager Dan O'Dowd.
Despite the additions of high-priced free agents Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle, the Rockies posted a 5.29 ERA last season, easily the worst in the major leagues.
The 46-year-old Wright has been with the Colorado organization since 1997 after seven seasons in the Philadelphia Phillies' system. He pitched two seasons with Kansas City before an arm injury ended his career.
