Rays hire Martinez

The Rays made it official Thursday, hiring former OF Dave Martinez as their new bench coach.
They also announced that Don Zimmer, a senior advisor, will return for his 60th season in pro baseball.

Martinez, 43, was an original Devil Ray, starting in rightfield for the March 31, 1998, inaugural game, logging the franchise's first hit. He retired in 2001 after a 16-season big-league career and spent the last two springs working as an instructor with the Rays.
Four other returning coaches got two-year deals - Tom Foley (3B), Steve Henderson (hitting), George Hendrick (1B) and Bobby Ramos (bullpen).
There is still no word on the fate of pitching coach Jim Hickey, who was arrested on DUI and other charges after returning from the Sept. 30 season finale.

Comments

[Tampabaysportsfanatic]

His name had been out there, but I thought he would be a base coach and they would move Hendrick or Foley onto the bench. Not much experiance, which is interesting, but is younger and may relate with the players better.

[Tim C]

What a blessing in disguise. Leo Mazzone gets fired by the Orioles, should there not be an easier signing for the Rays this off season?
Jim Hickey did NOTHING for the Rays staff this year, and almost ruined Kazmir by trying to move him to the other side of the rubber before
Scott was smart enough to move back half-way through the year, and return to his old form. Hickey also started screwing with Shields before
James used his own intuition and went back to what got him to the big leagues. Getting the experience and expertise of Mazzone would really
solidify the Rays coaching staff, and bring a proven winner to this team. His leadership would work wonders with our young staff, and provide
trust when it comes to the entire teaching aspect that Hickey knows nothing about. Gerry Hunsicker threw Hickey a bone when he was fired
by the Astros (rightfully so as we all now know), because he too felt slighted by the Astros owner when he was let go. Throw in a lovely DUI
and Hickey has all but dug his own grave here in Tampa. Anything you could do to perhaps write about Mazzone being available would be
greatly appreciated by this die-hard Rays fan. I think that deep down, you know this would be a great move as well. Am I right here?

[Anthony]

So Jim Hickey did some time for the crime. Hey Elijah Dukes did his time and he is still in good standing with the Rays. Maybe Stu and his front office boy blunders think any publicity for the team good or bad is better than being ignored.