PHOENIX - The Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) have named Torey Lovullo (luh-VEL-oh) as the team's eighth manager, as announced by D-backs Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Hazen.
Lovullo, 51, will make his full-time managerial debut in 2017, his 31st season in professional baseball. In addition to 2 months as an interim manager for the Red Sox in 2015, he has 16 seasons of coaching experience and a 14-year playing career, including parts of 8 seasons in the Majors.
"I'm excited to have Torey as our manager," said Hazen. "We share the same goals and mindset about how to be a championship-caliber organization."
He spent the last 4 seasons in the Red Sox' organization as the Bench Coach under John Farrell, including a stint as the interim manager from Aug. 14, 2015-end of the season while Farrell was on medical leave. During his time in Boston, Lovullo helped guide the Red Sox to a World Series championship in 2013 and 2 division titles (2013, '16). He also served as Farrell's Bench Coach for the 2014 American League All-Star Team in Minnesota. Prior to the Red Sox, he was the First Base Coach for Farrell's staff with the Blue Jays from 2011-12.
"I appreciate the opportunity to join the D-backs family," said Lovullo. "I'm excited to get to work with the staff and players to help lead this organization back to title contention. I also thank the Boston Red Sox for the invaluable opportunities provided to me over the last 4 years."
In 9 seasons as a Minor League manager in the Indians (2002-09) and Red Sox (2010) systems, Lovullo owned a combined .661 winning percentage (661-609) with Triple-A Pawtucket (2010), Columbus (2009) and Buffalo (2006-08), Double-A Akron (2005), and Single-A Kinston (2003-04) and Columbus (2002). While with Akron, he earned both Baseball America Double-A Manager of the Year and Eastern League Manager after guiding the Aeros to the 2005 EL Championship. In 2004, he was named the Carolina League Manager of the Year after leading the Indians to the CL title. He led Columbus to the South Atlantic League final in his managerial debut in 2002.
Lovullo began his coaching career in 2001 as a roving coordinator in the Indians' organization.
Over parts of 8 seasons with the Tigers (1988-89), Yankees (1991), Angels (1993), Mariners (1994), A's (1996), Indians (1998) and Phillies (1999), he hit .224 (165-for-737) with 35 doubles, 15 homers and 60 RBI in 303 career games. He saw action at second base, first base, third base, shortstop, right field and left field as well as designated hitter. Lovullo concluded his career with the Yakult Swallows of the Japan Central League in 2000.
The Santa Monica, Calif., native played collegiately at the University of California, Los Angeles from 1984-87, where he left as the Bruins' career leader in at-bats (856), hits (266), runs (211), home runs (51), RBI (188) and walks (180). He was named Pac-10 Player of the Year twice (1986-87), the first player in conference history to win the honors in consecutive years, as well as being UCLA baseball's first consensus All-America selection as a senior. He was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999.
Lovullo and his wife, Kristen, have two sons, Nick and Connor, and one daughter, Taylor.