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So far four candidates interviewed for Dbacks pitching coach -- Brad Arnsberg, Doug Brocail, Mike Harkey and Mel Stottlemyre Jr
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo620) November 20, 2013
Let's take a look at these four candidates and their credentials.
Brad Arnsberg
Arnsberg played in the major-league from 1986-1992, for the Yankees, Rangers and Indians, getting the save for Nolan Ryan's 300th career victory in 1990. He began his coaching career in 1994 as a player/coach for the Wei-Chen Dragons in Taiwan, then coached Rangers' farm teams for five seasons, before becoming first the bullpen coach, then the pitching coach, for the Montreal Expos in 2000. Spells with the Marlins (2002-03), Blue Jays (2003-09) and Astros (2010-11) followed, ending when Houston fired him in June 2011. He's currently our rehab coordinator and, according to Wikipedia, lives in Cave Creek with his wife.
Doug Brocail
Curiously, Brocail is the man who took over as interim pitching coach in Houston, after Arnsberg was canned there. He had a long major-league career, running from 1992 through 2009, with five different teams, though is perhaps best known for his involvement in a 2004 incident, when heckling of Brocail led fellow reliever Frank Francisco to throw a chair into the stands from the bullpen at Oakland. His Astros' role was his first as a coach, having previously been a special assistant to the Houston GM, evaluating and scouting players. He was moved back to the "special assistant" role in October.
Mike Harkey
Spent a decade in the majors, mostly with the Cubs, but also played for the Rockies, Athletics, Angels and Dodgers. His coaching career started in the farm system of the Padres, where he spent six seasons as a pitching coach, before becoming the bullpen coach for the Marlins under Joe Girardi in 2006. The following season, he was back in the minors as a pitching coach for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, but returned to a bullpen role in the major-leagues for 2008, taking over the Yankees' position, where he has spent the past six years. Suffered a season-ending injury in 1992 attempting a cartwheel.
Mel Stottlemyre Jr.
If that's a name which sounds familiar, it should, because Stottlemyre already held the role with the Diamondbacks. He took over in May 2009, after Bryan Price fell on his sword and followed Bob Melvin out the door. He stayed in the position for the remainder of that season and the next, before being moved to a spot in our farm, as the short-season pitching coordinator after the 2010 campaign. He doesn't have as much major-league experience as the others, having only appeared in 13 games, with the 1990 Royals. Of course, his brother Todd, has strong D-backs ties, having pitched for us from 1999 through 2002.