Jamey Newberg has reported the following are candidatates to replace Rudy as Hitting Coach:

Rusty Greer
Thad Bosley
Gerald Perry
Clint Hurdle

I'm a fan of Hurdle personally.

I like Gerald Perry.

Bosley helped me when I had no hair, he's good!

not sure about this one. I don't know much about any of them but based on what I've read, I'd go with Hurdle, then Perry. Sorry Rusty.

I guess they don't think much of Coolbaugh at AAA. I thought he'd be a finalist. Thats what I get for thinking.lol

I think they like Coolbaugh, they just want to keep him working with the younger guys because he's not established at the pro level. If he had a history of success in the pros, I bet they'd promote him, but I'm guessing they want someone who kind of commands respect because they've been there. I'd be shocked if the job isn't given to Hurdle or Perry for those reasons alone. As for Coolbaugh, if they want success in the bigs, it's hard to get that if your not given the chance, sort of a catch 22 for him. Personally, I believe he's proven his worth over and over again. It seems like every guy they send down comes back up a better hitter and you really can't ask for much more out of a minor league hitting coach than that.

Hurdle would be the best choice IMO

Rusty Greer is my favorite player of all time but he needs to build some rep as a hitting coach in the minors before I give him the position.

but what exactly has Rusty done at this level as a coach to warrant his being a finalist? I would put Coolbaugh ahead of Rusty. You are probably right in that they like him at AAA and want him to keep on working with the young players. I was just surprised to see Rusty was a finalist but not Coolbaugh.

Nothing at all, that's why I doubt he's the top candidate. I don't think it's nothing more than for show at this point, kind of the Rangers showing they look in house (which is completely contradicted by the fact Coolbaugh isn't a candidate) and they will put players who were vital cogs in the organization in a place to help as a coach. I could be wrong though, they could hire him tomorrow, but I'm thinking they will narrow it down to two coaches next week, those being Hurdle and Perry. It's all speculation, but that's my guess.

Greer is the only one of the four who has not been a Major League hitting coach. He has not worked in professional baseball since his playing career ended in 2002 but spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach under former Rangers pitcher Mike Jeffcoat at Texas Wesleyan. He has also worked as a Collegiate Summer League coach.

Greer brings passion, energy, extensive knowledge of the art and instant credibility from a playing career in which he compiled a .305 career batting average, a .378 on-base percentage and a .478 slugging percentage.

Thats what I thought. Now it won't surprise me if Rusty is the one they pick just because he would be a popular pick among many Ranger fans. He could turn out ot be a good hitting coach, but he should have to earn his way.IMO

I like Rusty, but he hasn't done jack at this level. I don't know why he is in the running except to appease fans. I guess we'll find out fairly soon....

I have read in other atricles that Greer has also worked with MLB hitters on the side with good reviews. I'm not advocating Rusty, or anyone. Just repeating what I've read.

I also read that part of the reason Rudy left was his perception of bad publicity he's gotten for this one bad year of hitting. I hope repsort is happy. If the Rangers are a worse hitting team in 2010 it will be his fault. lol

I'll support whomever they hire. I'd just rather see someone with MLB experience as a hitting coach. Most of the board should be happy now that Rudy is gone. The Rangers loss is the Cubs gain. IMO

like Mike said, perhaps the reason why is because they were sent down. I mean 1) they must have been sent down cuz they were doing EXTREMELY bad. 2) just being sent down tends to open one up to criticism, with that head start it's not nearly as hard to work on one's swing than it is when their up in the bigs and think their hot stuff. Every AAA hitting coach we've had (along with pitching coaches) goes through the same thing.

I like what Bosley brings to the table, a full head of hair. A bald noggin's gotta be TORTURE in our ballpark :(

I'm not so much concerned about why they go down, I'm concerned about the improvements, or lack thereof, made while down. If the players weren't coming back more prepared to be good hitters, it would be a problem. The fact that it isn't bodes well for Coolbaugh and I feel he deserves some credit for that.

what I'm saying there is that, as always, AAA experience does not directly translate into MLB experience. I agree, Coolbaugh was my choice. I have no clue why they chose Maddux over Hawkins! While I obviously have the proverbial egg on my face for questioning them over that move. All I'm saying is lets trust the FO on this one k? :D

None of us have all the info and have seen any of the coaches in action. We can look at some of the results they have had, but that only tells part of the story. I honestly was not too keen on Rusty when it first broke he was up for the position, but the more his name comes up the more I think it may be worth taking a chance. Could catch lightning in a bottle.