Athletics left fielder Jake Smolinski shakes hands with third base coach Mike Gallego in the third inning after hitting his first of two home runs in Oakland's 14-1 win over Minnesota Sunday afternoon.
Mike Gallego’s 19 year’s with the Oakland A’s is officially over.
The A’s relieved the former player and third base coach of his duties Monday, naming Ron Washington third base coach for the remainder of the season.
Washington spent 11 seasons as a coach with the A’s from 1996-2006. After serving as the A’s first base coach in 1996, he moved across the diamond to third base in 1997.
Washington also worked with the A’s infielders. Oakland led the league in fielding in 2004 and 2005 and finished second in 2006.
Washington was also instrumental in the development of third baseman Eric Chavez, who won six consecutive Gold Gloves from 2001-06.
The same carried over into this season as shortstop Marcus Semien struggled with defense early in the year, and since his work began with Washington, has committed only a few errors despite playing almost every game.
Gallego was in his seventh season as the A’s third base coach in 2015. It was his 19th season in the Oakland organization, which includes 12 years as a player.
Gallego’s professional career began when the A’s drafted him in the second round of the 1981 June draft out of UCLA.
Gallego began has had issues deciding when to send runners home this season, and some players seemingly began to second guess his decisions by June.
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Last modified August 27, 2015 7:58 pm
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