Yankees fire hitting coach Kevin Long, first base coach Mick Kelleher
The New York Yankees have fired hitting coach Kevin Long and first base coach Mick Kelleher, general manager Brian Cashman announced Friday.
Long became the Yankees' hitting coach in 2007 when Don Mattingly was promoted to bench coach. The Yankees' offense was among the most powerful in baseball during his first several seasons, but ranked in the bottom half of the American League in runs scored in each of the past two seasons. The team scored the third-fewest runs in the AL this season.
Kelleher had been with the Yankees since 2009, after serving as a defensive instructor in the team's minor league system. Cashman did not blame Kelleher for the team's defense, saying only that the move was a "personnel decision."
• Yankees sign GM Brian Cashman to three-year extension
Both Long and Kelleher had one year remaining on their contracts, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.The rest of the Yankees' coaching staff, including manager Joe Girardi, will return next season.
• Yankees' Alex Rodriguez could play first base next season
The Yankees finished 84-78 this season, second in the AL East and four games behind the Athletics for the second Wild Card spot. They missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1992-93.
- Dan Gartland
