Roger McDowell will return to Atlanta Braves
According to FOXSports.com senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal, the Atlanta Braves have decided to bring back Roger McDowell on a two year deal.
#Braves make it official, announce return of McDowell as pitching coach on two-year deal.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 2, 2013
“We are happy that Roger will continue to lead our Major League pitching staff,” general manager Frank Wren said in a statement released by the Atlanta Braves. “Our staff has performed very well under his guidance.”
McDowell had been one of the lowest paid pitching coaches in Major League Baseball, and it had been widely speculated that he may search elsewhere for a larger contract, namely with the Philadelphia Phillies.
According to MLB.com, the Atlanta Braves ERA as a staff has dropped each season since 2008 and ranked in the top 5 since 2009. Here is an excerpt from their report on McDowell’s resume:
"Over the last three seasons, Atlanta’s relievers have posted a combined 2.76 ERA (best in the Majors) and .226 opponents’ batting average (third in the Majors) while tying for the fewest home runs allowed among all Major League bullpens in that stretch, with just 103."
McDowell spent 12 season in the Majors and went 70-70 with a sparkling 3.30 career ERA for the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, and Baltimore Orioles.
He became the pitching coach of the Atlanta Braves in 2005 under surefire Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox.