Hale returns to Blue Jays as associate manager

TORONTO – Longtime baseball coach DeMarlo Hale will return to the Toronto Blue Jays next season as an 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 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.”

Related Videos

0:29 Bo Bichette going viral for openly flirting with trade

• Bo Bichette going viral for openly flirting with trade
• ‘God bless Bo Bichette’: Blue Jays fan hit by ball takes it all in stride
• Toronto Blue Jays fan hit in face by 110mph foul ball
• Holdfast ball diamond gets much needed upgrade
• Metrolinx, TTC ramps up service to accommodate influx of Eclipse watchers, sports fans
• Phase 2 of renovations unveiled at the Rogers Centre
• Blue Jays season opener win leaves fans optimistic
• Baseball is Back: Blue Jays kicks off season against Rays
• How Shohei Ohtani’s conflicting buzz catches baseball world by storm before Dodgers deal announced
• Atkins says Schneider made decision to pull Berrios in Blue Jays wildcard loss

Previous Video

Next Video

The 62-year-old Chicago native was a bench coach for the Blue Jays from 2013-18. He has also worked for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox over his 22-year big-league coaching career.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“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 coming 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.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2023.