NewsMarlins to add St. Claire to coaching staff
Former big leaguer known for ability to work with young arms
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
10/27/09 12:03 PM ET
MIAMI -- Part of being a successful pitching coach is having the ability to communicate with your staff.The Marlins feel they have found someone who can connect with their young arms.
Randy St. Claire, a former big league pitcher with ample coaching experience, will be the team's next pitching coach.
In a telephone conversation from his home in upstate New York, St. Claire said on Tuesday morning that he agreed with the Marlins on Monday. The team has yet to make a formal announcement.
St. Claire, 49, was dismissed by the Nationals on June 1. A member of the Braves' 1991 and 1992 playoff teams, St. Claire was in his seventh season with the Montreal Expos/Nationals before he was let go.
"We've been talking over the last couple of weeks, and we agreed [on Monday]," St. Claire told MLB.com. "It's very exciting. I'm very happy. What a great group of guys to work with. I'm looking forward to help them improve."
St. Claire will take over for Mark Wiley, who was not retained after spending the past two seasons as the Marlins' pitching coach.
Though Josh Johnson was an All-Star, the Marlins' rotation struggled in 2009, posting a 4.57 ERA, 10th best in the National League.
The key to working with pitchers, St. Claire said, is being on the same page with them.
"I just think it's communicating, whether working with young or old pitchers, and being open to what they feel," he said. "It's trying to get them comfortable and confident."
The Marlins' rotation features several very tall pitchers. Johnson and Andrew Miller stand 6-foot-7, and Chris Volstad and Sean West are each 6-foot-8.
"With that height, they can generate some great [arm] angles," said St. Claire, who will spend the next few weeks introducing himself to his new staff.
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
