5:57pm: Hale’s contract also contains a club option for a third season, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 (Twitter link).
9:04am: The Diamondbacks have announced the hiring of Athletics bench coach Chip Hale as their new manager. Contract terms weren’t announced, though CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported (via Twitter) that Hale signed a two-year deal to manage the club. The D’Backs were rumored to be deciding on their new skipper today, and USA Today’s Bob Nightengale was the first to report that Hale has been hired.
It is something of a homecoming for the 49-year-old Hale, who played college ball at the University of Arizona and began his coaching career in the D’Backs organization, working both as a minor league manager and as a Major League third base coach. He has also worked as the Mets’ third base coach and has spent the last three years in Oakland under Bob Melvin.
Hale has been a contender for several open managerial positions over the last few offseasons, and was reportedly a finalist for the Mets (before they hired Terry Collins) and Mariners (before they hired Lloyd McClendon). Most recently, the Twins sought to interview him during their manager search, though Hale reportedly canceled that interview in order “to see through this chance” at the D’Backs job, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (Twitter link).
Hale is the first hire for D’Backs GM Dave Stewart and chief baseball officer Tony La Russa as they look to turn around the last-place Snakes and move on from the Kirk Gibson/Kevin Towers era. The club interviewed at least nine men for the manager’s job and had narrowed the field to Hale, former Rockies manager Jim Tracy, Indians first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. and two internal choices in assistant hitting coach Turner Ward and triple-A manager Phil Nevin.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Nice!
I thought for sure TLR was gonna try to steal Oquendo away from the Cardinals. phew!
I was worried too. Good thing deep playoff runs tend to prevent coaches from interviewing
I like Chip Hale. He was a runner up for the Mets managing job a few years ago.
he should’ve gotten it instead of the guy currently at the helm…:(
I actually concur but what can you do… at least Collins seems to be turning it around somewhat now with getting better talent on the team.
to some degree.
Seems like a good hire. But no matter what, we at least will be certain that Hale will be the best manager ever named “Chip”
I believe there was a baseball movie with a chimpanzee named Chip as the coach. Regardless, I have firm faith that Chip Hale can out coach any actor.
Not giving Chipper a lot of support here. After all, Dude Esterbrook was the best manager of all time named Dude and he was 2-8. Chip should be a good, solid addition though.
I thought for sure the D-Backs would hire Joe McEwing, but in recent days that became apparent it wouldn’t happen.
As long as McEwing stays in Chicago and finds a way to the manager position there
Bring back Upton/Eaton/Bauer, you may have something there.
Towers already burned those bridges.
And now if Chip Hale will add Tim Raines, J.T. Snow, and Josh Fogg to his coaching staff
Storm Davis might be available too.
Who will ever forget Sleet Summers and his 95mph ephus!?
Oh, what the hey….add Bob “Hurricane” Hazle and Windy McCall. There. I’m done.
I know…it just has to be said..ha. I’m still tickled that the Angels all time OF includes a Trout and a Salmon. Names are one of the small joys of baseball. Sammy Khalifa lives on
I hope he didn’t pick up any Habits from Jerry Manuel, but I always liked Hale when he was on our coaching staff. I always hoped he would succeed Terry Collins for us. Too bad.
Well, he does barely fit the former Dodger player requirement (barely).
So much for another Chip (Hale) and Chili (Davis) bowl giveaway at the Coliseum…
I just walked around the Haight and North Beach this weekend…they are giving away bowls over there if you want to cross the bridge. Totally different type of bowl…gotta love SF
I was hoping for Jim Tracy, because I’m a Dodger fan.
Good hire, nice guy.