Padres name former outfielder Mark Kotsay new hitting coach
![Padres name former outfielder Mark Kotsay new hitting coach Padres name former outfielder Mark Kotsay new hitting coach](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/MTY4MTk5OTU4MDcwMzcyMjI1/padres-hitting-coach-mark-kotsay.jpg)
The San Diego Padres have hired former outfielder Mark Kotsay as their hitting coach, the team announced Monday.
Kotsay played for seven teams over his 17-year major league career, including two stints with the Padres. He hit .283 with a .782 OPS and 34 home runs for San Diego from 2001-03 and spent the final two seasons of his career with the team from 2012-13.
Kotsay also played for the Florida Marlins, Oakland A's, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers. Following his retirement after the 2013 season, Kotsay was hired by the Padres as a special assistant to the general manager.
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From the Padres' press release:
“We’re excited to bring Mark on board to our Major League staff,” said manager Bud Black. “Mark’s career as a player, teammate and team leader speaks for itself. His knowledge, work ethic, competiveness and personality will greatly impact our Major League club as well as our entire organization.”
Kotsay replaces Phil Plantier, who was fired in October after three seasons on the job. The Padres finished last in baseball in 2014 in several offensive categories, hitting just .226 as a team and scoring just 535 runs, nearly 40 less than the next-closest team.
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The Padres went 77-85 last season and finished third in the National League West.
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