Redmond named Rockies bench coach

DENVER -- Former Marlins manager Mike Redmond was named the Rockies' bench coach Wednesday.
Redmond, 45, is the first hire under new manager Bud Black, who was introduced Nov. 7. The Rockies kept three coaches from the staff of former manager Walt Weiss -- third-base coach Stu Cole, pitching coach Steve Foster and bullpen coach Darren Holmes.
"We believe that Mike is a great fit for our staff," Black said. "He brings a lot of intensity and a strong work ethic, and as a great communicator, he is able to connect well with players. Mike is a solid teacher with a catcher's experience, viewpoint and perspective. I am really looking forward to working with Mike."
Redmond went 155-207 while managing the Marlins from 2013 until mid-May in the '15 season. He received that job just three years after retiring as a catcher. He managed two years in the Blue Jays system before taking the Marlins' helm.
Redmond interviewed for the Padres' bench-coach job under Black before landing the Marlins' managing job. After Black was hired to helm the Rockies, he called Redmond, who had been spending time with his family and coaching his children in Spokane, Wash.
"I was fortunate to get this opportunity and to accept it," Redmond said. "It's crazy how things work. You never know when opportunities are going to come. I'm grateful to Buddy and the Rockies, and I'm excited to be back in the game at this level."
Redmond said he appreciates the quick education he has received since retiring as a player. In the Blue Jays' system, he managed, among others, Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard, White Sox infielder Brett Lawrie, Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar and Astros center fielder Jake Marisnick.
"The two years I managed in the Blue Jays' system did prepare me for the Marlins job," Redmond said. "Obviously, it's no secret the Marlins job didn't end the way I anticipated. But in saying that, I got to grow during two-plus years and it was a great experience.
"I got to run an organization from the manager's seat, with all that entails. We lost 100 games my first year, but you learn a lot through your struggles. You learn to be a better teacher, a better communicator. And I'm excited because Buddy Black is a tremendous leader. We have some good young players and some veterans, and together we're going to go out there and have some fun."
The staff isn't complete, so duties are not official, Redmond said, but he said he is looking forward to working with a catching staff that is not long on Major League experience.

Veteran Nick Hundley is exploring free agency. Left-handed-hitting, pitch-framing whiz Tony Wolters batted .259 in 71 games -- including 58 starts behind the plate -- as a rookie in 2016. Right-handed-hitting prospect Tom Murphy, 25, hit .273 with five home runs in 21 games, including nine starts, as a September callup last season. Righty-hitting Dustin Garneau, 29, hit .235 in 24 games over three 2016 callups.
"From my perspective it's fun to get a chance to work with young catchers -- I had that experience in Miami with J.T. Realmuto," Redmond said. "It's fun to pass on some of what I've learned to help speed the learning curve."