KFDM COOP Posted October 22, 2008 Report Posted October 22, 2008 Astros assistant Moore joins Ryan with Rangers The Astros were forced to shuffle their coaching staff Wednesday following the departure of Jackie Moore to the Texas Rangers. Moore, who served the Astros’ bench coach last season after eight years as manager of the Round Rock Express, agreed to join the Rangers as bench coach under manager Ron Washington, allowing him to remain close to his home in Arlington. The Astros were quick to fill Moore’s spot, promoting third-base coach Ed Romero to bench coach and adding Dave Clark as third-base coach. Clark managed last season at Class AAA Round Rock. “We’re disappointed we’re losing him, but we understand the opportunity he has to work at home and everything associated with that,†general manager Ed Wade said of Moore. “At the same time, Eddie’s relationship with (manager Cecil Cooper) creates a good environment to step into the bench coach’s role and be there as Coop’s right-hand man during the game. “We certainly think the work Dave’s done at Round Rock for us and Double-A before that makes him deserving of an opportunity to join the big-league staff.†Moore, who has had a strong working relationship with Rangers president Nolan Ryan, just completed his 51st season in professional baseball. “I’m getting the opportunity to come and probably finish out my career here,†Moore, 69, said. “To be honest with you, I have had a great time with the Astros and really appreciate them understanding and giving me the permission to talk to the Rangers, knowing I live here and my family is here.†Moore joined Cooper’s staff prior to this season after leading the Express to three championship series, including the Texas League title in 2000. The Express, who are co-owned by Ryan, were the Astros’ Class AA affiliate from 2000-2004 before becoming Class AAA in 2005. “I’m sure (the Rangers’ interest) started with Nolan,†said Moore, who managed the Oakland A’s in the mid-1980s. “We have spent a lot of time together on and off the field. The bottom line is there some work to do here. They do have a good organization and good arms coming up, and I’m excited to be part of it.†Moore was invited back to join the Astros next year and remain with Cooper. Moore was Cooper’s first professional manger at Jamestown, N.Y., in 1968. “I’m leaving a lot of great fiends, but the baseball life will be easier for me,†said Moore, whose wife, JoAnn, is an international flight attendant for Dallas-based American Airlines. “That part I appreciate. I spent (nine) years in the organization and there’s a lot of baseball memories and good friends.†Clark, who managed at Corpus Christi for three seasons before joining Round Rock, coached third base while a manager in the minors. And he has prior major-league coaching experience, serving as Pittsburgh’s hitting coach in 2001-02. “I was hoping I would be given the opportunity,†Clark said. “There’s pressure that goes into, but I really feel I’m the man for the job. I love challenges, and this will definitely be a big challenge for me.†ASTROS COACHING STAFF FOR 2009 MANAGER: Cecil Cooper BENCH COACH: Ed Romero HITTING COACH: Sean Berry PITCHING COACH: Dewey Robinson FIRST-BASE COACH: Jose Cruz
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