Rockies hire Baylor as hitting coach

Nov 24, 2008 - 10:29 PM DENVER (Ticker) -- Don Baylor, the first manager in the history of the Colorado Rockies, rejoined the franchise Monday in the role of hitting coach.

There were other additions on manager Clint Hurdle's staff as Jim Tracy was named bench coach, Rich Dauer third base coach, Jim Wright bullpen coach and Brian Jordan strength and conditioning coach.

Baylor, 59, managed the Rockies from 1993-1999, compiling a 440-469 record in six seasons. In 1995, Baylor guided the Rockies to their first playoff berth when they won the National League wild card.

This will mark Baylor's sixth season as a hitting coach. He held that title with the Seattle Mariners (2005), Atlanta Braves (1999), St. Louis Cardinals (1992) and Milwaukee Brewers (1990-91).

Tracy, 52, also brings managerial experience to the staff, previously having served as field boss for the Pittsburgh Pirates (2006-07) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2001-05).

Dauer, 56, begins his fourth season in the Colorado organization, having served the previous three seasons as the organization's minor league roving infield coordinator.

Wright, 53, also returns to the Colorado bench, where he served as the club's pitching coach in 2002. He spent the previous six seasons as the organization's roving pitching coordinator.

Jordan, 33, had served as the organization's minor league strength coordinator for the last nine seasons.