Diamondbacks hire ex-Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan as consultant

Dave Duncan (right) has 32 years of experience as a pitching coach in the big leagues. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Dave Duncan, who served as Tony LaRussa's

Dave Duncan (right) has 32 years of experience as a pitching coach in the big leagues. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Dave Duncan, who served as Tony LaRussa's pitching coach with the White Sox (1983-86), Athletics (1986-95) and Cardinals (1996-2011), has been hired by the Diamondbacks as a special assistant to the general manager and pitching consultant, the team made official on Thursday.

Duncan won one World Series as a player and three as a coach and is known for shaping very successful pitching staffs.

He coached four Cy Young Award winners -- LaMarr Hoyt in 1983, Bob Welch in 1990, Dennis Eckersley in 1992 and Chris Carpenter in 2005 -- and four of his staffs led their respective league in ERA.

Duncan left the Cardinals before the 2012 season to care for his wife, Jeanine, who died of cancer this summer.

The Diamondbacks were 17th in the league last season with a 3.92 team ERA.

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OFFICIAL: #Dbacks name Dave Duncan Special Asst. to the GM/Pitching Consultant. Duncan served as pitching coach for 32 yrs (1980-2011).

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) November 21, 2013