BOSTON -- Rather than going outside the organization for their next pitching coach, the Red Sox instead rewarded long-time staff member Dana LeVangie by promoting him to that role.
LeVangie served as the club's bullpen coach/catching instructor for the last five seasons and has been with the Red Sox since 1991, when he was a Minor League player.
A native of Whitman, Mass. who grew up a Red Sox fan, LeVangie was the team's bullpen catcher from 1997-04, then worked as a scout from 2005-12 before joining the coaching staff.
In addition, the Red Sox announced Ramon Vazquez will be the liaison between the Major League club's advanced scouting and statistical analysis efforts, and Steve Langone will be the manager of advanced scouting.
For years, LeVangie has been praised for his work behind the scenes. Now, he will become more of a focal point, leading a pitching staff that includes Chris Sale, David Price and Craig Kimbrel.
"My love for the game, my love for the Boston Red Sox has kind of taken this whole process to another level for me," LeVangie said. "I'm just thankful for the opportunity. I guess being a local kid, being a Red Sox fan growing up, having a not-so-successful high school career but being more successful in my college days, getting drafted by the Boston Red Sox, playing six years in the Minor Leagues and now going into my 28th year, it's been an incredible ride."
New Red Sox manager Alex Cora formed a relationship with LeVangie more than a decade ago.
"Very impressed with Dana since when I played here. This guy, he understands the game," Cora said. "It seems like we talk the same language as far as the game. When everyone started talking about me being a manager, he was a guy I always considered would be part of my staff. He is well prepared and versatile enough that he can work with catchers and be a pitching coach.
Vazquez, a former infielder who was traded from the Red Sox to the Indians for Cora in 2005, made his Major League coaching debut in 2017 with the San Diego Padres, working primarily with the infielders.
Langone, 39, will work closely with Vazquez and advanced scouting assistant J.T. Watkins, and travel with the Red Sox. An MLB advanced scout for the past five seasons with Boston, Langone first joined the organization in 2009 as a baseball operations intern before being promoted to advance scouting coordinator from 2010-12.
A graduate of Boston College in 2000, Langone was selected in the 21st round that year by the Dodgers. He was inducted into Boston College's Hall of Fame in 2008.
The Red Sox now just need to fill Levangie's old role of bullpen coach, a person who could also become the catching instructor.
"We are in the process right now," Cora said. "We're going to pick the right guy. We have to be comfortable, both of us, Dana and myself, so right now we're in the middle of that. We've got a few candidates from inside the organization and others from outside the organization."