Eckstein joins Pirates as special assistant

PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates added a former World Series Most Valuable Player Award winner to their front office staff on Saturday, hiring David Eckstein as a special assistant in their baseball operations department.
Eckstein, 43, is the younger brother of new Pirates hitting coach Rick Eckstein. He spent 10 years in the Majors as a middle infielder for the Angels, Cardinals, Blue Jays, D-backs and Padres. During his career, Eckstein made two All-Star teams (2005 and '06) and won a pair of World Series (2002 with the Angels and '06 with the Cardinals), and he was named the 2006 World Series MVP after batting .364 in St. Louis' five-game triumph over the Tigers.

"David Eckstein brings intelligence, intensity and a unique drive and energy to the Pirates organization," general manager Neal Huntington said in a statement. "David's strengths will be an asset for our Major League team and player development system as a teacher and mentor. We are elated to add a quality person with an extensive playing background to our organization."
Eckstein served as a guest instructor for the Angels during Spring Training from 2012-15 and again from '17-18. He worked with Tony La Russa, his former manager, and the D-backs' staff during Spring Training in 2016. Eckstein held several roles for USA Baseball's 18U national team from 2012-16. In '15, he was Team USA's first-base coach, hitting instructor and infield coach as the squad won the Baseball World Cup.