Mariners Hire Dave Hansen as Hitting Coach
Dave Hansen was named the Mariners Hitting Coach today.
Today the Mariners hired Dave Hansen as the Major League hitting coach. Dave is a veteran of 15 Major League seasons, including his last two with the Mariners in 2004-05. Considered one of the best pinch-hitter in Major League history, Dave brings a wealth of hitting knowledge to the big league coaching staff.
Here are some articles that ran today on Hansen joining the Mariners coaching staff:
- Mariners.com – Mariners hire Hansen as new hitting coach (Greg Johns)
- Dave Hansen on the Kevin Calabro Show (ESPN 710 Seattle)
- MyNorthwest.com – Mariners Bring Back Familiar Name as Hitting Coach (Shannon Drayer)
- Seattle Times – New M’s Hitting Coach Dave Hansen Eager for Challenge (Larry Stone)
- Tacoma News Tribune – Mariners Hire Dave Hansen as Hitting Coach (Ryan Divish)
- SportsPressNW – Huge Job Ahead for Mariners New Coach (John Hickey)
“I think Dave will be a good addition to our big league staff,” Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. “He’s had success as both a coach and a player, and has a clear vision of how to help prepare our hitters to be successful.”
Hansen was the Major League hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers from July 20, 2011 through the 2012 season. He joined the Dodgers as their Major League hitting instructor in 2011. Prior to joining the Dodgers, Hansen spent four seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks minor league system. He was the minor league hitting coordinator for three seasons (2008-2010) after beginning his professional coaching career in 2007 as the hitting coach at AA Mobile.
Hansen played 15 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Dodgers (1990-96, 1999-2002), Cubs (1997), Padres (2003, 2004) and Mariners (2004, 2005). He played in a pair of postseasons with the Dodgers in 1995 and 1996. Known as one of baseball’s best pinch-hitters, he set a Major League record with 7 pinch-hit homers in 2000 (later tied). He also holds the Dodgers record for most pinch hits in a season (18 in 1993) and a career (110). He led the Dodgers in pinch hits in six different seasons (1993, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001). In his Major League career overall, he hit .260 (466×1230) with 79 doubles, 6 triples, 35 home runs and 222 RBI in 1,230 games. Dave also played for Hanshin (Japan) in 1998.
