DETROIT – Since parting ways with the Philadelphia Phillies on Sept. 30, 2013 as their pitching coach, Rich Dubee had not returned to coach in the major leagues — until today.
Dubee, 58, will reportedly be named as the pitching coach for the Detroit Tigers, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com.
Beck describes Dubee's career experience, as he will prepare this offseason to coach the Tigers' pitching staff which features 2011 American League Cy Young Award winner and Most Valuable Player, Justin Verlander:
"Dubee served as the Marlins pitching coach from 1998 to 2001, leading the club's rebuild of the pitching staff behind A.J. Burnett, Josh Beckett and Brad Penny. Dubee's first season on staff was the final season in Florida for then-Marlins manager Jim Leyland.
Dubee's longer, better-known tenure was in Philadelphia, where he served as pitching coach from 2005 to 2013. He coached a star-studded pitching staff with veterans Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee, but also coached Cole Hamels for the first eight years of his Major League career. Other Phillies pitchers to work under Dubee include Brett Myers, Brad Lidge, Jamie Moyer, Ryan Madson, Joe Blanton and Kyle Kendrick. The Phillies won a World Series title in 2008 and made it back to the Fall Classic a year later, part of a run of five consecutive NL East titles."
The Tigers are expected to officially announce the hiring of Dubee on Thursday, with the World Series between the Kansas City Royals and the New York Mets being in an off-day.
Dubee will replace Jeff Jones, who retired this offseason after five seasons at the position.
Since departing the Phillies, the 2008 World Series champion has served as the minor league coordinator for the Atlanta Braves.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
