Original Tampa Bay Devil Ray Dave Martinez Named to Rays Coaching Staff

Don Zimmer to return for 60th season

10/11/2007, ST. PETERSBURG -- Dave Martinez was named Bench Coach on Tampa Bay Devil Rays Manager Joe Maddon's coaching staff. He joins Third Base Coach Tom Foley, Hitting Coach Steve Henderson, First Base Coach George Hendrick and Bullpen Coach Bobby Ramos, who have all agreed on two-year contracts. In addition, Senior Baseball Advisor Don Zimmer will return for his 60th season in professional baseball.

An original Ray, the 43-year-old Martinez served as a Spring Training instructor for the Rays the last two seasons. He also filled in as first base coach the first three weeks of the regular season this past year while George Hendrick recovered from knee surgery. In addition to his bench coach duties, he will oversee base running and bunting.

Martinez played with the Rays from 1998-2000, batting .272 in 261 games. He was the starting right fielder in the inaugural game on March 31, 1998 and recorded the first hit in franchise history, a third-inning single off the Tigers' Justin Thompson. Martinez played 17 seasons in the major leagues from 1986-2001. He was a career .276 hitter, playing in 1,919 games and collecting 1,599 hits. He and wife, Lisa, have four children and reside in Safety Harbor, Fla.

Foley, 48, just completed his 12th season with the Rays organization, his fifth at his current post. He has also served as a minor league manager, field coordinator and director of minor league operations in the Rays organization.

Henderson, 53, is an 11-year veteran of the organization, just completing his second consecutive season, third overall, as the Rays Major League hitting coach. He also spent eight seasons as Tampa Bay's minor league hitting coordinator.

Hendrick, 57, spent the last two seasons as the Rays first base coach. He has also served on the Major League coaching staffs of the Dodgers (2003), Angels (1998 and '99) and Cardinals (1996 and '97).

Ramos, 50, finished his second straight season as Rays bullpen coach, his second tour with the organization. He also spent three seasons (1997-99) as a minor league manager. Prior to re-joining the Rays he spent six seasons with the Angels organization, including three (2000-02) on the Major League coaching staff.

Zimmer, 76, will return for his fifth season as Senior Baseball Advisor and his 60th in professional baseball. The 2008 season will also mark his 50th in the major leagues as a player, coach or manager.

Source: MLB

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