Brad Ausmus started with a list of 20 pitching coach candidates. He whittled it down to six. He had coaches he knew, coaches he didn’t know, coaches who came recommended. But with his job future likely on the line next season, he had the list. If you count Jeff Jones as a holdover two years ago, then this was Ausmus’ first pitching coach hire, and he came prepared.
“Brad did just about all the legwork and research,” general manager Al Avila said. “He turned over a list to me of guys he wanted to interview, and I gave my thoughts, and [Rich Dubee] was at the top of the list.