Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) – Joe Maddon will have his trusted sidekick
back with him when the new Chicago Cubs manager begins his first season in the
Windy City.
The team announced Thursday that Dave Martinez, Maddon’s bench coach with the
Tampa Bay Rays for the past seven seasons, will hold the same role with the
Cubs as they completed filling out their coaching staff for the 2015 season.
Martinez, a former Cubs player as well, was part of four playoff teams led by
Maddon in Tampa Bay from 2008-2013. The 50-year-old had been one of the
preliminary candidates to replace Maddon as the Rays’ skipper, but was not
among the three finalists announced by Tampa Bay president of baseball
operations Matt Silverman last month.
Brandon Hyde, who served as Chicago’s bench coach last season under Rick
Renteria, will be shifted to first base coach following Martinez’s hire. Doug
Dascenzo, originally named the Cubs’ first base coach for 2015, will instead
work as the organization’s outfield and baserunning coordinator.
The Cubs let Renteria go after just one season after being able to land
Maddon, a two-time American League Manager of the Year in Tampa Bay who opted
out of his contract with the Rays shortly after the 2014 campaign concluded.
Martinez spent the first three seasons of his 16-year playing career in the
majors with the Cubs from 1986-88, then spent part of the 2000 season with the
club as well.
The Cubs also announced that longtime major league catcher Henry Blanco will
also join Maddon’s staff as a quality assurance coach.
