San Diego Padres add Willie Blair, Brett McCabe to coaching staff- MLB News
The San Diego Padres have appointed Willie Blair as their new bullpen coach. Willie was the pitching coach of the Class-A Fort Wayne TinCaps, a Minor League affiliate with the San Diego Padres in the Midwest League. The Padres also named Brett McCabe as
the new strength and conditioning coach.
Brett McCabe had a lone season in the Minor League in 1993. Brett represented the Class Short-Season A Geneva Cubs in the New York-Pennsylvania League as a first baseman. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1993, in the 61st round of the Amateur
Draft.
McCabe is a registered strength and conditioning coach and a certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is also a licensed massage therapist.
The 33-year-old was last associated with the Arizona Diamondbacks for seven seasons. He was recently the Minor League Strength and conditioning coordinator.
He also has been previously associated with the Toronto Blue Jays where he performed his duties with Double-A New Haven and Triple-A Syracuse as strength and conditioning coach.
Bud Black, the Padres’ manager welcomed the move to add Brett to the Padres’ ranks.
“Brett comes to the Padres with a strong passion and knowledge in the field of strength and conditioning,” said Black. “We look forward to watching him grow and become a vital part of our staff.”
Willie is an ex-Padres pitcher and spent two seasons with the team in the mid 90’s. He was originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the Amateur draft in 1986 in the 11th round. He made his Major League debut for the Blue Jays in April of
1990.
Blair played in the Majors for 12 seasons and represented eight different ball clubs. Detroit Tigers was his last club and his career came to an end with a 60-86 record in 2001. His coaching stint with the Fort Wayne TinCaps lasted two years.
Randy Smith, the San Diego Padres’ vice president of international scouting and player development was pleased with the move to have Willie on board. Randy believed that Blair will be a tough and confident coach.
"Willie did a terrific job for us with a young pitching staff both years," said Randy "The reaction of the players [to him] was positive. He's got some teeth; he won't let them get away with stuff. But at the same time, he's a good confidant and sounding
board."
Bud Black was also glad to see Willie Blair on his coaching staff. He believed that Blair has all the tools that are needed for a bullpen coach.
“He brings a strong fundamental knowledge of pitching to our club that will show in his teachings,’’ Bud Said.
The bullpen position was originally offered to Bob McClure, a former Boston Red Sox pitching coach. The 60-year-old, however, declined the offer due to family commitments.
The recent appointments in the coaching staff are welcomed by the management and one can hope that they will be useful to the team’s cause in the upcoming season.
Tags: