Former Red Sox Catcher Kevin Cash Named New Rays Manager
After eight seasons behind the plate and two seasons as a bullpen coach, Kevin Cash finds himself back in the dugout, but in an entirely different position. Cash, a former MLB catcher, has been hired by the Tampa Bay Rays as their new manager, according to FOX Sports.
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Cash’s hiring comes after former Rays manager Joe Maddon suddenly annouced after the World Series that he would be opting out of his contract with Tampa Bay. The Chicago Cubs announced the signing of Maddon as their new manager less than a week later.
Cash never had a definite starting job as a catcher, making his major league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2002. He joined Tampa Bay in 2005, and spend the entire 2006 season catching with their Triple-A affiliate, the Durham Bulls. He then signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox in 2007, and after refusing an assignment to Pawtucked at the end of the season, he re-signed again in 2008, acting as the personal catcher for Tim Wakefield when Doug Mirabelli left the team.
Cash signed with the Yankees in 2009, splitting time between New York and AAA Scranton/Wilkes Barre until tearing his rotator cuff. Cash announced his retirement from baseball, but changed his mind and signed with the Astros in 2010. He was traded to the Red Sox on July 1, when Jason Varitek hit the disabled list, and after refusing an assignment to Pawtucket once again, he signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers and spent the entire 2011 season at AAA Round Rock.
Sources told FOX Sports that Cash blew away not just Rays management, but the Rangers front office as well, who are looking for a replacement to Ron Washington, who resigned citing personal reasons.
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