WATN - George Hendrick joins Devil Rays coaching staff

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Maddon Fills Out Devil Rays Coaching Staff

TAMPA - Joe Maddon's new coaching staff is a little bit Angels, a little bit Devil Rays and a lot of the things that made Maddon Tampa Bay's choice for manager.

"I'm not looking for the Albert Einstein of anything," Maddon said. "I'm looking for someone who's really competent at what they do, with the spirit and personality to get across to the players what we're trying to accomplish."

Of the six coaches -- and one senior adviser -- announced Monday by the team, only two (third base coach Tom Foley and all-around guru Don Zimmer) were retained from the staff of former manager Lou Piniella.

Three coaches had ties with Maddon in the Angels organization: pitching coach Mike Butcher, 40; bullpen coach Bobby Ramos, 50; and first base coach George Hendrick, 56.

The other two were promoted from within the Rays organization: bench coach Bill Evers, 51; and hitting coach Steve Henderson, 53.

Maddon said he'll touch base with his coaches after Thanksgiving, and they'll meet in January in St. Petersburg to begin (along with Rays minor-league staff) to formulate the organization-wide program for player development and fundamentals.

The most noticeable omission from the Rays' major-league staff was Billy Hatcher, who had been a Rays coach since the team's inception in 1998.

"It's very difficult [leaving off Hatcher]," Maddon said. "You get so many names and people involved. It is not easy. I heard so many wonderful things about him, but you only get to choose so many."

Evers, who managed the Triple-A Durham Bulls for the past eight seasons and has spent 30 years in minor-league baseball, interviewed for the managerial position and was rewarded with his first major-league coaching job.

Henderson was the first hitting coach in Rays history, working on Larry Rothschild's staff in 1998 before becoming the organization's roving hitting instructor. He has worked with many current Rays major-leaguers, including Carl Crawford and Jorge Cantu, as well as top prospects Delmon Young and B.J. Upton.

"I think it'll help a lot," Henderson said. "Not only me, but I think it'll help them. I think they might be more relaxed around me, because they know what I know about them."

Butcher and Ramos come directly from the Angels' minor-league organization, where they worked closely together as the roving pitching and catching instructors, respectively.

"I always felt it was really important the bullpen coach and the pitching coach are able to work together and these guys can," Maddon said. "They're extremely good friends. It's a great match. And wait 'til you see the personalities."

Hendrick, who played for six teams during an 18-year major-league career (most notably the Cardinals), was on the Angels' coaching staff in 1998-99.

"This guy's one of the most communicative coaches with young players I've seen and one of the best at relaying mental information," Maddon said. "I'm really interested in George getting involved in all areas of the clubhouse."

RAYS COACHING STAFF

Mike Butcher, 40, pitching coach: Former Angels pitcher (1992-95) spent past three seasons as Angels minor-league roving instructor.

Steve Henderson, 53, hitting coach: Returns to post he held in 1998 after seven years as Rays minor-league roving instructor.

Bill Evers, 51, bench coach: First major-league coaching job after 19 years as minor-league manager, including the past eight with Triple-A Durham.

Tom Foley, 46, third base coach: Only hold-over from Lou Piniella's staff will oversee defense and coordinate spring training.

George Hendrick, 56, first base coach: Dodgers minor-league hitting coordinator played 18 years in the majors (1971-88) and has coached with Cardinals and Angels.

Bobby Ramos, 50, bullpen coach: Former Rays minor-league manager (1997-99) and interim bullpen coach (1998) spent past three seasons as Angels minor-league roving catching instructor.

Don Zimmer, senior adviser: As in 2004-05, can dress before games and during spring training.