The White Sox added two new names to the major league coaching staff on Tuesday but theres nothing unfamiliar about either man.
Daryl Boston was promoted from the teams minor-league outfield coordinator to the White Sox first-base coach and Bobby Thigpen was named the teams bullpen coach, up from pitching coach at Double-A Birmingham.
Boston, who played for the Sox from 1984-1990, takes over next season for Harold Baines, who was moved to assistant hitting coach. Thigpen, the franchises all-time leader in saves, fills the role vacated by Juan Nieves, who earlier this month was named pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox.
Though Boston has spent the past 12 seasons as the White Sox minor-league outfield guru he has been tasked with running outfield defense for major leaguers each spring.
Ive been with these guys since theyve been in the organization, Boston said on a conference call. Nothing new. I know the guys and me and Harold have always been on the same page and were going to try and do the same things we have been doing.
Thigpen, who finished his career with 201 saves, including 57 in 1990, echoed Bostons statement. He has spent the past six seasons in the minor leagues and worked with a number of the White Sox young pitchers.
Ive been getting texts all day from some of the young guys, Thigpen said. Its a continual work in progress. Theyre in the big leagues and were going to try and keep them there.
MLB
Thigpen knows he has big shoes to fill after Nieves departure. Nieves and Cooper worked well together and even were roommates for a time. Thigpen said hes intrigued to work with Cooper.
I was anticipating and hoping to get this job, Thigpen said. (Cooper) is one of the best pitching coaches in baseball. I know he and Juan were real close. I just look to be some enforcement for him.
Boston, who joined the staff last August, said he already has some ideas formed after he watched the team for the last six weeks of the season.
One of the things I have noticed is we definitely need to improve our leads at first, Boston said. With the exception of maybe (Paul) Konerko, everybody should be able to go from first to third and take out a man at second base and get us an extra at-bat.