If you can’t beat them on the field, hire their people.
That seems to be the Red Sox strategy when it comes to filling out manager John Farrell’s coaching staff.
Yesterday, the Red Sox hired Greg Colbrunn as their hitting coach. The former major leaguer spent the past seven seasons in the Yankees’ organization working in Charleston (Low-A).
Red Sox pitching coach Juan Nieves, first base coach Arnie Beyeler and third base coach Brian Butterfield all worked in the Yankees’ minor league system as well. Bench coach Torey Lovullo played for the Yankees and catching instructor Gary Tuck held the same title with the Yankees twice.
“He has a good temperament for the game,’’ Yankees minor league head Mark Newman said of Colbrunn. “He has a lot of patience and is a really good person. He understands and knows what’s going on from a hitting perspective. He has had a chance to leave Charleston but didn’t because of his family.’’