This had been rumored for a while, but it’s now official: the Rays have hired former Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland. Eiland was named as a special assistant to Rays’ GM Andrew Friedman. He’ll some scouting and handle special assignments.
Eiland left the Yankees under somewhat clouded circumstances. Apparently only Murray Chass knows what those circumstances were, but he’s a responsible journalist who doesn’t engage in irresponsible speculation. Except of course when he does.
Either way, I find it weird that I didn’t realize that Eiland used to pitch for the Devil Rays. It doesn’t feel like they’ve been around long enough for any of their former players to have grown-up Major League jobs. But I suppose that’s more a comment on how time flies for old people like me than reality.
