DeMarlo Hale, ex-Blue Jays bench coach, returns in associate manager role

Longtime baseball coach DeMarlo Hale will return to the Toronto Blue Jays next season as associate manager under skipper John Schneider, the team said Monday.

Hale served as a bench coach for the Cleveland Guardians over the last three seasons.

"When the opportunity came up to return to Toronto in this role, it felt like a good fit," Hale said in a news release. "I'm excited to come back to this team and fanbase. My familiarity with the field staff and other departments will help make a smooth transition and continue to help impact this organization's success."

Hale also served as Cleveland's acting manager from July 29, 2021, through the end of the season while then-skipper Terry Francona was sidelined by health issues. The team went 30-33 with Hale in charge.

The 62-year-old Chicago native was a bench coach for the Blue Jays from 2013-18. He also coached for first base and outfield for Texas (2002-05), then was a third-base coach (2006-09) and bench coach (2010-11) with Boston and a third-base coach with Baltimore (2012).

"DeMarlo brings passion, toughness, experience, and a history of winning to our coaching staff," said Schneider. "Adding his voice and intensity to our environment is going to be beneficial for an already close-knit group of staff and players.

"We are looking forward to DeMarlo's immediate impact on this team heading into the 2024 season."

Hale also spent nine years as a manager at a variety of levels in the minor leagues.

The Blue Jays are fresh off an 89-73 campaign in Schneider's first full season as manager. Toronto was eliminated by the Minnesota Twins in the American League wild-card series.

The 2024 regular season begins March 28.

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