CHICAGO -- If the Chicago Cubs are looking for coaches who can relate to their young players than they may have found one in 36-year-old new first base coach Eric Hinske.
The former 17th-round pick of the Cubs in 1998 is newly retired from the game as a player, having seen action with the Arizona Diamondbacks last season. He spent a total of 12 years in the big leagues after the Cubs traded him to Oakland in 2001 for Miguel Cairo.
Hinske hit .249 with 137 home runs in his career. He was the rookie of the year with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2002.
Hinske is the final hire for new manager Rick Renteria's staff. He joins Bill Mueller (hitting coach), Gary Jones (third base), Mike Brumley (assistant hitting coach) and Brandon Hyde (bench coach) as newcomers. Leftover from former manager Dale Sveum's coaching ranks are Chris Bosio (pitching), Lester Strode (bullpen), Mike Borzello (catching and strategy) and Franklin Font (staff assistant).
