Today’s Red Sox coaching news was refreshing in that Boston’s new pitching coach didn’t come to The Hub by way of the Toronto. Juan Nieves, Chicago White Sox bullpen coach for the past five years with the Chicago White Sox, will become Boston’s new pitching coach.
Feb 23, 2011; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox cap and sunglasses on the dugout bench during spring training at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE
April 20, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Historical logos on display under the grandstands during the 100th anniversary celebration at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE
According to Red Sox Manager John Farrell, Nieves was the strongest of four candidates, besting odds on favorite Director of Baltimore Orioles Pitching Operations, Rick “The Professor” Petersen, Marlins pitching coach Randy St. Claire and Royals bullpen coach Steve Foster.
Nieves, a big league pitcher, made it into the record book in 1987 when he became the second youngest pitcher in Major League Baseball to toss a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles on April 15, 1987. His career was short lived. He pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers from 1986 to 1988 but retired after he suffered a career-ending arm injury.
Farrell, stressing the importance of communication, was quoted on www.espn.go.com: “His ability, his communication and my understanding of Juan and what’s important to him as a person, as much as a pitching coach, those were all factored into the ease of communication, which is going to be a major component once we get into in-game input that he’ll have in the dugout. I feel with our rapport and existing knowledge of the guys on the pitching staff already, this is a very good fit and a very good tandem.”
Communication is the problem to the answer
– The Things We Do For Love, 10cc