Two team sources confirmed that Triple-A Charlotte manager Joe McEwing will be named the third base coach, replacing Jeff Cox. McEwing, 38, was known as “Super Joe” for his hustle and versatility during his nine major league seasons.
Mark Parent, a former journeyman catcher who was managing in an independent league as recently as 2007 and is close friends with country music star Garth Brooks, will serve as bench coach, another source confirmed.
Also, minor league hitting coach Jeff Manto has the inside track to be hitting coach, a team source reiterated. Manto, 47, played at least parts of nine seasons in the majors, including 31 games in 1996 with the Seattle Mariners, and was the hitting coach at Pittsburgh in 2006-07.
Ventura will be formally introduced today at a news conference at U.S. Cellular Field, and the completion of his staff will end a zany period that started Thursday with his stunning hiring despite not rejoining the organization until last June.
