CHICAGO -- With speed already on hand, and more headed toward the major league roster, the Chicago White Sox hired a new coach to harness much of that base-stealing potential.
General manager Rick Hahn announced to a packed house during his panel session early Saturday that Vince Coleman will join the coaching staff as a roving base-running instructor. He will be on a one-year contract and will spend time on the major league level as well as in the minor leagues.
“In the offseason we identified wanting to have someone with some base-stealing acumen, and obviously with tremendous credentials like Vince has it’s a means to augment our coaching staff and help draw out a little more from certain players,” Hahn said. “I think a fan asked about Adam Eaton. Certainly, that’s one. And Micah Johnson, wherever Micah Johnson is (playing), he’ll be working with him as well. It’s a real good get in terms of rounding out some of our staff.”
Coleman was the National League rookie of the year in 1985 and a two-time All-Star as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. He stole at least 100 bases in each of his first three seasons, including 110 in 1985, which is a major league rookie record and the ninth-most in a season all-time. He stole 752 career bases.
“Without (Coleman), I was looking at 40 (steals); that's my goal, I want to get back on track and get 40,” said Eaton, who had just 15 steals in 2014 and was caught nine times. “With him, I'm hoping to have more. It's definitely something I've worked on all offseason. I've worked on my quickness and being more efficient, just from my standpoint of what I needed to work on and getting in shape in that matter. I'm excited to work with him and what he has to offer.”
White Sox executive vice president Kenny Williams has a relationship with Coleman and was instrumental in bringing him to the club.
“Doug Sisson does a great job in the minor leagues; he works with our outfielders and our baserunners,” Hahn said. “(First-base coach Daryl Boston) spends some time with the base runners in Chicago and has done a good job with it.
“It’s just a matter of bringing in another voice and someone who obviously has base stealing as a big element of their game, not just baserunning. It’s a different approach, element and voice he brings, and everyone is excited about it.”
The 52-year-old Coleman served as a baserunning instructor for the Houston Astros the previous two years. He was an instructor for the Chicago Cubs in 2004 and 2005.