Mark Kotsay Returns to A's as Bench Coach

I remember Mark Kotsay being one of my favorite A's players back when I was in elementary school. Such a great player, with a great baseball mentality, and fantastic leadership skills. I always predicted that he would become a coach in the MLB someday. It was announced yesterday that he will be Bob Melvin's bench coach next season. He spent last year as the San Diego Padres hitting coach, so this will be an important promotion in Kotsay's career. He and Bob Melvin simply had lunch in Jack London Square last week, talked about their philosophies and approaches (which were similar) and decided Kotsay would be a good fit to come back to Oakland. 

This last season for the A's was disappointing to say the least, especially after the past few years they have had, winning the AL West and Wild Card. The only way they are going to improve is if some positive changes are made. The World Series just finished recently, so the hot stove is just getting warm, but I think bringing back Kotsay to improve the coaching staff is the first step in the right direction for the A's. 

I am personally very excited to see Kotsay in the bench coach role for the A's. The changes to the coaching staff were kind of a shock when Mike Gallego and Tye Waller were fired, but at least the front office and Bob Melvin are trying to get the team back to their winning ways. I feel confident with the decision to move Mike Aldrete from bench coach to first, and love Ron Washington at third, like I always have. Between Wash on third, Curt Young as pitching coach, and Kotsay back in the dugout, the 2016 season is going to feel like I'm watching my beloved 2006 A's team all over again.... That means 2016 is 10 years since the 2006 A's won the division and made it to the ALCS... I am getting old. 

My hope is that Kotsay's fun spirit, baseball knowledge, and leadership skills can lead the A's to be just as good, if not better than that 2006 team. 

Photos: SF Gate

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