The Gang’s Back Together

The 2013 season for the Oakland A’s can for the most part be described as a successful one. While most fans focus on the players that a team has to base their predictions, the minority also suggest that the coaching staff plays a part in success of a team.

With that said, if you’re talking about the A’s coaching staff, Bob Melvin is obviously the leader of the group, and Chip Hale, the sidekick.

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After the Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge decided to step down, the vacated spot looked like a beautiful position to many. A top flight pitching staff led by Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma, and some quality prospects waiting in the wings; the only thing needed was a solid manager.

After missing out on the New York Mets gig after the 2010 season, Hale joined on as Oakland’s bench coach in 2011. When his name was brought up regarding the Mariners’ open job, experts weren’t surprised.

Clearly, this led to the uncertainty as to whether Hale would return as Melvin’s sidekick or go off to Seattle to be the head man on a division rivals staff. But after interviews for the position were held, Seattle made a decision and announced Lloyd McClendon would be the team’s manager for the 2014 season. After the news broke, it was just a matter of time until the A’s made their move to bring Hale back.

According to Jane Lee, through a Twitter post earlier today, they didn’t only bring Hale back, but also the rest of Melvin’s staff.

"“As expected, along with Hale, Melvin says he’s retaining all of his coaches: Chili Davis, Curt Young, Tye Waller, Mike Gallego, Darren Bush”"

Although Hale will have to sit in the passenger seat for at least another year, his time will surely come. Now the A’s, with a quality coaching staff in place, look toward their next step: putting together a quality cast of players. But this is, no doubt, one step in the right direction for the back to back AL West champs.