After losing their pitching coach of seven years when Bud Black was hired as manager of the Padres, the Angels made it clear Saturday they wanted somebody with a profound knowledge of the organization's pitchers.
So they hired the pitching coach of the Devil Rays.
The reason that makes perfect sense is that Mike Butcher, who in 2006 served as Tampa Bay's pitching coach, does know the Angels' pitching better than anyone available.
Butcher, 41, spent the previous six seasons (2000-05) in the Angels' Minor League system, serving as roving pitching instructor (2003-05) and Minor League pitching coach (2000-02).
"Mike is a natural fit for the job, as he has been an integral part in the development of several of our big-league pitchers and many in our Minor League system," said Angels general manager Bill Stoneman, who announced the hiring nine days after Black's departure. "We are delighted to have him back in the Angel organization."
Butcher enters his 22nd season in professional baseball in 2007, including 14 playing years total and four in the Majors as a pitcher -- all with the Angels, from 1992-95. He went to Tampa Bay when former Angels bench coach Joe Maddon was hired as manager prior to the 2006 campaign.
Angels Triple-A pitching coach Charles Nagy also was considered for the post.
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Angels pick Butcher as pitching coach
Angels pick Butcher as pitching coach
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