By STEPHEN HAWKINS
AP Sports Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Thad Bosley is the Texas Rangers' new hitting coach, their third in just more than a year.
Bosley was hired Tuesday to replace Clint Hurdle, who last week left the AL champion Rangers after one season when he became the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bosley was a finalist for the job last offseason when Rudy Jaramillo left Texas after 15 seasons to take the same job with the Chicago Cubs.
"Anytime you are given an opportunity to work with one of the best organizations in baseball, you want to be a part of it," Bosley said. "They have great young talent on the major league level, Josh Hamilton, the AL MVP. ... There is a litany of outstanding talent you have an opportunity to work with. I look forward to the challenge and the opportunity."
Bosley hasn't been on a major league staff since May 31, 2003, when he was relieved of his duties as hitting coach for the Oakland Athletics.
While in Oakland, Bosley was on the same staff with current Rangers manager Ron Washington. The two also were in spring training together as players for the Rangers in 1990.
Bosley, who finished his 14-season playing career with Texas in 1989 and 1990, is the first former Rangers player to become the team's hitting coach.
"Our relationship definitely goes back a way," Washington said. "Thad brings a willingness and a passion to want to help this young team that is full of great hitters, full of great players. ... He has experience, he has knowledge. I think what we've accomplished in 2010, he's the right guy to continue moving forward."
The Rangers led the majors in hitting with a .276 average and went to the World Series for the first time. Hamilton, who led the majors with a .359 average, won the AL MVP award on Tuesday.
Bosley was on Oakland's coaching staff from 1999-2003. He was a first-base coach and outfield instructor the first season before 3 1/2 seasons as the Athletics' hitting coach.
Before becoming Rangers manager after the 2006 season, Washington spent 11 seasons in Oakland, primarily as third-base coach and infield instructor.
During his major league playing career from 1977-90, Bosley hit .272 in 784 games for the Angels, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee, Seattle, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City and Texas.
Updated November 23, 2010
