Martinez Hired As Bench Coach

ST. PETERSBURG - On most major-league teams, the bench coach is essentially the backup manager, serving as the skipper's right-hand man with wisdom accrued over the years - often in previous jobs as a manager - at the ready.

In hiring Dave Martinez on Thursday to fill that vacancy on Manager Joe Maddon's staff, the Devil Rays took a different tack. While the man the 43-year-old Martinez replaces, Bill Evers, had years of managing experience on his resume, Martinez has never even been a full-time coach. But that detail is of no concern to Maddon.

'I see him as being very fresh, and I think he's going to bring things to us that are pertinent during the course of the game,' Maddon said Thursday from his California home. 'I have no hesitation at all regarding the fact that he doesn't have experience doing that. He's got plenty of experience around the major-league game and relating to major-league players, from rookies to veterans.'

The bulk of that experience came as a player over the course of a 17-year major-league career that concluded in 2001. Martinez played for the Rays from 1998-2000, starting in right field in Tampa Bay's inaugural game and recording the first hit in franchise history.

Martinez has dabbled in coaching the last couple of seasons, serving as a special instructor for the Rays during spring training and filling in as the first-base coach for three weeks at the start of the 2007 season after George Hendrick underwent knee surgery. It was during that time that Maddon grew to admire Martinez's nascent coaching abilities.

'It became obvious to me that I like what he represents, what he does and how he does it,' said Maddon. 'He's hard working, he's passionate, he's opinionated in a positive way. He's got great knowledge of the game. Even though he has not been an official coach in the past, I was amazed by his ability to put his thoughts forward and the fact that he was so open and willing to do so.'

That last criteria was key in Martinez's selection. On the day last week the Rays announced Evers' contract wouldn't be renewed, Maddon said he wanted his next bench coach to be able to tell him when he was wrong. He has no doubt Martinez will do so.

'If he's got something on his mind, he's going to say it, and I like that,' said Maddon.

Martinez and returning coaches Hendrick, Steve Henderson (hitting), Tom Foley (third base), and Bobby Ramos (bullpen) agreed to two-year contracts through the 2009 season. Senior adviser Don Zimmer also will be back in 2008 for his 60th year in baseball.

Hendrick will remain the Rays' primary outfield coach, with Martinez - who did not return phone messages Thursday - overseeing bunting and base-running.

The status of pitching coach Jim Hickey, who was arrested last week on DUI and other charges, remains unclear.