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Familiar Face is Hired as Dodgers First Base Coach

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Katherine Wacker | Last updated Nov 23, 2024 12:36 AM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers have hired Chris Woodward as their new first base coach, reports Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Woodward will be replacing Clayton McCullough who was hired by the Miami Marlins to be their new manager.

Dodgers have named Chris Woodward as their new first-base coach, replacing Clayton McCullough after he went to manage the Marlins.

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) November 23, 2024

Dodgers Hire Chris Woodward as New First Base Coach

Woodward’s Previous Experience

Woodward had a 12-year playing career in MLB from 1999 to 2011. A 54th-round draft pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1994, he spent time with them, the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, and Boston Red Sox.

Woodward served in the same position for Los Angeles from 2016-2018 before being hired to become the Texas Rangers’ manager starting in 2019. The former first base coach was fired by the Rangers in the middle of the 2022 season and returned to the Dodger organization in 2023. Woodward served as senior advisor for player development and roving infield instructor.

Getting the Band Back Together

Woodward was a part of manager Dave Roberts‘ original coaching staff when Roberts was hired in 2016. Now, Woodward will take over McCullough’s former responsibilities in base running and working with the infielders. Also, third base coach Dino Ebel will switch from the infielders to the outfielders. It will be interesting to see who gets the lion’s share of responsibility for defensive positioning, now that McCullough is in Miami.