Chiti excited to rejoin Orioles as bullpen coach
Previously served as pitching instructor; hiring completes Baltimore's staff
BALTIMORE -- The Orioles completed 2014's on-field staff on Monday, officially naming Dom Chiti as bullpen coach.
Chiti, who had been working as a special assistant in Atlanta, was flying home to Orlando, Fla., after spending a few weeks in the Dominican Republic and called the Baltimore position "a great opportunity."
It's also a reunion of sorts for Chiti, who was the Rangers' bullpen coach under manager Buck Showalter in 2006. Chiti joins new pitching coach Dave Wallace, who previously served as the Braves' Minor League pitching coordinator.
"It's an exciting opportunity and also a great challenge with some really good people," said Chiti, who has worked closely with Wallace.
Chiti, 54, has worked in professional baseball since 1982 and served multiple roles in the Rangers' organization from 2002-08 before joining the Braves. Chiti joined the Rangers as a special assistant to the general manager and also served as the club's advance scout in the first half of the 2004 season. He spent 12 years (1989-2001) in the Indians organization and began his coaching career with the Orioles -- where he spent nine seasons as a player -- as a Minor League pitching coach and roving instructor.
Although Chiti was on Showalter's Major League staff in Texas for just one season, he worked closely with the skipper for five years as the Rangers' director of player personnel. Chiti's relationship with Wallace was another reason why he became the Orioles' top candidate over Billy Castro and Scott McGregor, who each held the role during parts of last season.
"We worked close the last couple years and have a tremendous relationship and he's a tremendous person and a great teacher," Chiti said of Wallace, who will be tasked with getting the most out of a young Orioles pitching staff. "I'm very excited to work with Dave in that aspect, if you look at some of the stuff that's happened in Atlanta over the last three or four years, it's something we've done before."
Both Castro and McGregor were offered positions to stay in the organization, although Castro declined the opportunity to stay on as a Major League scout.
"I'm an on-the-field type guy, and I like the competition on the field," said Castro, who would like to join another Major League staff after serving as the Orioles' bullpen and pitching coach -- following Rick Adair's leave of absence -- the past two seasons.