Matt Stairs named Phillies' new hitting coach

PHILADELPHIA (AP) The Philadelphia Phillies have hired Matt Stairs to be their new hitting coach.

Stairs played parts of 19 seasons in the major leagues with 12 different franchises, including the 2008 World Series champion Phillies. He spent the past three seasons as an analyst on the team's television broadcasts.

The 48-year-old Stairs replaces Steve Henderson. Stairs batted .262 with 265 home runs, 899 RBIs, a .356 on-base percentage and a .477 slugging percentage in 1,895 career games. This is his first coaching job at the professional level.

Two other coaches have new roles. Rick Kranitz, formerly the bullpen coach, is now the assistant pitching coach. John McLaren, formerly the catching coach, is now the bullpen coach.

The rest of the staff includes Larry Bowa (bench), Bob McClure (pitching), Mickey Morandini (first base) and Juan Samuel (third base).