November 5, 200323 yr Author Hernandez is Rays' pitching coach Tampa native has been in organization for six years By Paul C. Smith / MLB.com ST. PETERSBURG -- Chuck Hernandez, the Devil Rays' minor league pitching coordinator the last six seasons, has been named the team's new pitching coach. He takes over for Chris Bosio, who resigned for personal reasons. Hernandez, 42, is a Tampa native and was an All-State pitcher for Tampa Catholic High School. He pitched in the minor league systems of the Yankees and White Sox from 1979-83. But a broken left arm suffered during an instructional league game in 1983 ended his pitching days. Hernandez started coaching for the White Sox organization in 1985. He switched to the Angels in 1986 and was their Major League pitching coach from '93-96. Hernandez was hired by the Rays in 1997 as pitching coach of the Single-A St. Petersburg Devil Rays, who won the Florida State League title that season. "He was the most qualified person for the job," Rays manager Lou Piniella said. "He's worked with most of our young pitchers, knows them very well, and he's had Major League experience. I am thrilled to have him on board." Bosio joined Piniella's staff last winter after spending the previous three seasons as a special assignments pitching coach in the Mariners system. Bosio pitched 11 years in the Majors Leagues and threw a no-hitter in 1993 against the Red Sox. His season with the Rays was his only experience as a Major League coach. "Right now my family needs me more than baseball does, so I have decided to step down," said Bosio. "I would like to thank the organization for the opportunity, thank the players for their hard work and wish them all good luck next season."
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