MLB

Hale promoted to Red Sox bench coach

11/23 10:49 PM

DeMarlo Hale has been named the next Red Sox bench coach and Tim Bogar will coach third base.

DeMarlo Hale, who has been the third-base coach for the Boston Red Sox the last four seasons, was named the team's bench coach by manager Terry Francona, the team announced Monday. Hale replaces Brad Mills, who left to become manager of the Houston Astros.

Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson was named Boston's first-base coach, and Tim Bogar, who served as the team's first-base coach last season, is moving to third, the team said.

The 48-year-old Hale, a native of Chicago, rarely made headlines during his tenure as third base coach, testament to the terrific job he did in that role. Hale also managed eight seasons in the Red Sox farm system, then spent two seasons as manager of Texas' Triple-A team in Oklahoma City before spending four seasons as a coach with the Rangers. In addition to coaching third base, Hale also coached the Red Sox outfielders.

"His first day here, he asked me, 'What do you want me to do?'" Francona said. "I said, 'Coach your [behind] off,' and that's what he's done."

Also, the Red Sox named Rob Leary major league coaching staff assistant.

Gordon Edes is ESPNBoston.com's Red Sox reporter. He covered the Red Sox for 12 years and has reported on baseball for 25 years. Ask a question for his next mailbag here.