Major League Baseball

Parrish named new Braves hitting coach

Published Oct. 29, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

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New Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez rounded out his coaching staff Friday, hiring Larry Parrish as the hitting coach.

The 56-year-old Parrish had been manager of Detroit's Triple-A team in Toledo since 2003. He also worked as a coach, scout and hitting instructor in the Tigers' organization, beginning in 1992.

Parrish takes over for Terry Pendleton in a shake-up of the Braves' coaching staff after longtime manager Bobby Cox retired and was replaced by Gonzalez.

''Larry has a great reputation in the game and came highly recommended,'' Gonzalez said. ''His background truly speaks for itself. This is an extremely hardworking group of coaches who are great communicators.''

Pendleton had been the hitting coach under Cox, but was moved to first base by Gonzalez. The new manager also hired Carlos Tosca as his bench coach.

Glenn Hubbard and Chino Cadahia were let go by the Braves. The rest of Cox's staff - pitching coach Roger McDowell, third-base coach Brian Snitker and bullpen coach Eddie Perez - will return in 2011.

As a player, Parrish was a two-time All-Star and posted a .263 batting average with 256 home runs and 992 RBI over a 15-year career (1974-88) with Montreal, Texas and Boston. Following his major-league playing career, he played two seasons in Japan.

Parrish took over as Detroit's bench coach in 1997 and was appointed interim manager for the final 25 games of the '98 season, taking over for Buddy Bell. He kept the job the following season, but was dismissed after going 69-92.

He stayed with the Tigers, accepting a scouting role, and returned to managing with Toledo in 2003. He guided the Mud Hens to back-to-back International League titles in 2005-06.

''Larry has a very impressive resume,'' Braves general manager Frank Wren said. ''As a player, coach and manager, he has demonstrated a passion for understanding and teaching the art of hitting. Larry was a very good player and has continued to excel in his coaching career.''

Parrish comes to a team that'll make acquring a power-hitting outfielder its leading priority during the offseason. The Braves ranked 11th in the NL in homers (139) and struggled to consistently produce runs for one of the league's top pitching staffs.

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