Arizona Diamondbacks Daily Dose: Kirk Gibson in LA

In a remarkable turn of events, former Arizona Diamondbacks’ manager Kirk Gibson is interviewing with the Los Angeles Dodgers about their vacant manager’s spot. Gibson, the National League Manager of the Year with the D-backs in 2011, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in April. He managed for four-and-a-half years in Arizona with a record of 353-375, losing his position after the 2014 season as the Snakes went 64-98. Gibson, of course, hit one of the most famous home runs in baseball history in Game One of the 1988 World Series. He remains a beloved figure among Dodgers’ fans for that magical season in which the team won the World series, their last championship .

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One of Gibson’s former coaches has returned to the field. Charles Nagy, who served with the D-backs from 2011-through 2013, is now the new pitching coach of the Los Angeles Angels. Upon his release by Arizona, he stepped away from the field and was hired by the Cleveland Indians in February 2015 as a Special Assistant to Player Development. Cleveland is where Nagy spent 13 of his 14-year pitching career, becoming a three-time All-Star and finishing in the top ten of the Cy Young Award voting three times. Ironically, the D-backs just hired former Angels’ pitching coach Mike Butcher, who was let go at the end of this season, to be their new pitching coach.

Another ex-D-back heading to the Angels is Eric Chavez. Chavez, who played for the Snakes in 2013 and part of 2014 before announcing his retirement, will join the front office as an assistant to new Los Angeles general manager Billy Eppler. This move was not totally unexpected as the two have known each other since 2011 when Chavez was with the New York Yankees and Eppler was an assistant to New York general manager Brian Cashman. Chavez was a rock during the Oakland A’s playoff run in the early-to-mid-2000’s winning five Gold Gloves at third base and a Silver Slugger in 2002. He hit 12 home runs in 335 plate appearances in Arizona before retiring on July 30, 2014. He spent the 2015 season an analyst for the A’s in their television booth.

On to some link with other news about the Diamondbacks:

Oscar Hernandez and Adam Miller to play in Saturday’s AFL All-Star Game on MLB Network –mlb.com

Tony LaRussa interview with Doug and Wolf–98.7 FM Arizona Sports

Arizona Diamondbacks Offseason Wish List–baseballessential.com

Diamondbacks’ Prospects 10-1–insidethezona

Next: Arizona Diamondbacks Offseason: Pro's and Con's of Qualifying Offers

Here are some other links around the FanSided Baseball Network:

San Francisco Giants Free Agent Predictions–aroundthefoghorn

Nolan Arenado Dumps Scott Boras–roxpile

Zack Greinke Opts Out–dodgersway

San Diego Padres: Making the Case for Chris Davis–friarsonbase

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