Diamondbacks choose Hale as new manager

Oct 13, 2014 - 9:58 PM Phoenix, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - The Arizona Diamondbacks have selected Chip Hale as their new manager.

Hale most recently served as the bench coach for Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin for three years and also spent 10 seasons as a coach and minor league manager in the Diamondbacks' organization. He managed in Arizona's minor league system for six years and was the Diamondbacks' third base coach from 2007-09 under Melvin.

"We're going to set a culture here about winning, about having fun, about being competitive in the clubhouse, having pride. And that's important for me to instill in us here and get us back to where we belong," Hale said.

Before rejoining Melvin in Oakland for the 2012 season, Hale was the third base coach for the New York Mets from 2010-11.

"We wanted a guy with energy," D-backs general manager Dave Stewart said. "We wanted a guy that was optimistic and will energize our ballclub, but as well be a part of the culture moving forward in the Diamondbacks organization."

Hale, a University of Arizona star who still resides in Tucson, led Arizona's Triple-A affiliate -- then located in Tucson -- to the Pacific Coast League title in 2006. His 233 wins and .540 winning percentage as manager of the Sidewinders from 2004-06 are franchise records. He also guided the 2002 Double-A El Paso squad to the Texas League championship.

The 49-year-old Hale played for the Twins and Dodgers from 1989-97 and was a .277 lifetime hitter in 333 games.

Hale will take over a Diamondbacks team that finished with the worst record in baseball at 64-98. He will replace Kirk Gibson, who was fired with three games remaining in the 2014 season.