Padres to hire Wayne Kirby for coaching job

The San Diego Padres appear to have hired Wayne Kirby to be a member of the 2020 coaching staff.

With Jayce Tingler officially named the manager of the San Diego Padres on Thursday, the coaching staff is starting to take shape.

Bobby Dickerson looks to be a member of Tingler’s staff, as the veteran third base coach was reportedly hired late Thursday. A.J. Cassavell of MLB.com reported the news shortly after the press conference at Petco Park. Dickerson has ties to Manny Machado as he and the Padres’ third baseman worked together closely in Baltimore. Dickerson is set to become the bench coach of the team in 2020.

It did not take long for the next hiring.

Friday, news broke that the Padres will bring Wayne Kirby to the team. The veteran coach will work with the outfielders/baserunners and be the team’s first-base coach in 2020. Skip Schumaker held that role in 2019. The team announced that Schumaker will remain with the Padres in some capacity that has yet to be defined. Tingler is known to be a very passionate coach in regards to base running. The Rangers improved greatly last year. Expect the Padres to improve in these areas with the hiring of both these men.

Wayne Kirby is a well-respected coach, and the hiring looks to be a positive for the San Diego Padres. The team needs to surround the rookie manager with veteran coaches who can help cultivate him into a successful skipper.

Joel Sherman was first to report the news.

Hear that Wayne Kirby is taking a coaching job with the #Padres, probably first base and also working with outfielders/baserunners.

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) November 1, 2019

The veteran coach spent eight seasons in Baltimore (2011-18) as the First Base Coach for the Orioles. Before that, he spent five seasons in Texas (2006-10) as the organization’s Outfield and Baserunning Coordinator. Yes, Kirby has ties to the Rangers and A.J. Preller. He also should be very familiar with Jayce Tingler, as well. Factor in his relationship to Manny Machado, and this was a no-brainer for the San Diego Padres.

Kirby also worked in player development for the Indians when he first retired from the game. He began his coaching career in 2002 as the Hitting Coach for the Rookie-level Burlington Indians. The left-handed-hitting outfielder was drafted in 1983 by the Dodgers and played 18 seasons in professional baseball. He played eight years in the majors for three different teams (CLE, LAD, NYM), recording a .252 batting average in nearly 1,200 at-bats.

There is much to love about Kirby and the fact he gives back to society. He was very active in the RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program in Baltimore and would continuously do free clinics for kids and coaches. Hopefully, he can do the same with San Diego.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.