Padres hire Canadian Matt Stairs as major league hitting coach
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres hired Canadian Matt Stairs as their major league hitting coach on Monday.
Stairs, from Fredericton, N.B., spent this past season as hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies, his first professional coaching position. He replaces Alan Zinter, who was fired on Sept. 1.
Stairs is the Padres’ ninth hitting coach since Petco Park opened in 2004.
“We’re thrilled to have Matt join our coaching staff,” said Padres manager Andy Green. “He did a tremendous job with the Phillies’ young players last season and brings a wealth of hitting knowledge to our ball club.”