D-backs hire Lovullo as new manager

Lovullo named D-backs manager 1:14

The D-backs hire former Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo as the club's new manager

PHOENIX -- Long viewed as the front-runner for the position, Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo was named manager of the D-backs, the team announced on Friday.

Triple-A Reno manager Phil Nevin, Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu, Cardinals bench coach David Bell and former big leaguer Alex Cora were among those who reportedly interviewed for the position.

"I appreciate the opportunity to join the D-backs family," Lovullo said in a statement. "I'm excited to get to work with the staff and players to help lead this organization back to title contention. I also thank the Boston Red Sox for the invaluable opportunities provided to me over the last four years."

OFFICIAL: Torey Lovullo has been named #Dbacks manager.

Welcome to Arizona! pic.twitter.com/VHx63I8SAd

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) November 4, 2016

The D-backs had been trying to decide between Lovullo and Nevin over the past 24 hours, and they apparently recently began letting candidates know that they were no longer in the running.

Lovullo was at the top of the team's list as soon as general manager Mike Hazen was hired in mid-October. Hazen has a long history with Lovullo, as both had been with the Red Sox and previously the Indians.

"I'm excited to have Torey as our manager," Hazen said in a statement. "We share the same goals and mindset about how to be a championship-caliber organization."

MLB Tonight: Steve Gilbert

Gilbert on Lovullo joining D-backs as new manager

Steve Gilbert discusses Torey Lovullo joining the D-backs as the club's new manager and shares his thoughts on the team going forward

An infielder, the 51-year-old Lovullo played parts of eight seasons in the Major Leagues, from 1988-99, for the Tigers, Yankees, Angels, Mariners, A's, Indians and Phillies. He retired from playing after spending the 2000 season with the Yakult Swallows in Japan.

Following his retirement, Lovullo joined the Indians as a roving instructor for a season before starting his Minor League managing career in Cleveland's organization in 2002. He was named Manager of the Year in the Class A Advanced Carolina League in '04 and the Double-A Eastern League in '05. Lovullo's record as a Minor League manager was 661-609 (.520).

Lovullo joined John Farrell's staff in Toronto as first-base coach in 2011-12 and followed Farrell to Boston in '13, where he has served as bench coach.

When Farrell missed the final seven weeks of the 2015 season due to cancer treatment, Lovullo took over as interim manager and led the Red Sox to a 28-20 record, the third-best mark in the American League over that span.

Lovullo is the eighth manager in D-backs history, replacing Chip Hale, who was dismissed after two seasons.

Steve Gilbert has covered the D-backs for MLB.com since 2001. Follow him on Twitter @SteveGilbertMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Share on Google Plus

About Unknown

This is a short description in the author block about the author. You edit it by entering text in the "Biographical Info" field in the user admin panel.