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Cubs'
pitching coach Hickey quits after one season
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 [November 21, 2018]
Chicago Cubs fans won't be able
to identify the coaches without a scorecard next season, after
pitching coach Jim Hickey resigned on Monday, citing personal
reasons.
Hickey, a Chicago native, just completed his first season with the
Cubs, after he spent 11 years with the Tampa Bay Rays. Eight of
those seasons were when current Cubs manager Joe Maddon was managing
in Tampa, from 2007 to 2014.
"Jim Hickey notified us yesterday of his decision to step down as
pitching coach and leave the organization for personal reasons,"
according to a statement released Tuesday by Theo Epstein, the Cubs'
president of baseball operations.
"We thank Jim for his season with the Cubs and his positive impact
on our pitchers. Jim has our full support and we all wish him well,"
the statement added.
According to the Chicago Tribune, talk of Hickey leaving began a few
weeks ago, despite the team's success on the mound.
The Cubs were second-best in the National League with a 3.65 ERA
despite an at-times unsettled rotation in part because they received
little from free agent acquisitions Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood.
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Chicago's bullpen had the best ERA (3.35) and opponents' batting
average (.225) in the NL, and that was without closer Brandon Morrow
for the season's second half, after he sustained a bone bruise in
his right forearm.
The Tribune noted Hickey's tendency to be perhaps too candid for the
front office's liking at times, such as telling reporters in August
of a schedule of three minor league rehab starts for Darvish that
was ahead of what the team's medical staff had in mind.
The Cubs fired their hitting coach, Chili Davis, after one season,
and assistant hitting coach Andy Haines has taken over as hitting
coach for the Milwaukee Brewers.
--Field Level Media
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