Former Mets Coach: Chip Hale (2009-2011)

Walter William Hale, known as Chip Hale, was born on December 2, 1964 in San Jose, California. The five foot eleven left hand hitter, threw right handed. He attended the University of Arizona, getting signed by the Minnesota Twins in 1987, in the 17th round.

In 1991 while playing for the Portland Beavers, he hit the famous fly ball that outfielder Rodney McCray attempted to catch by running through the outfield wall. The highlight was a constant back in the nineties & is still often shown.

Hale hit as high as .280 twice in the minor leagues, making his MLB debut in 1989. Hale played for the Twins for six seasons as a utility infielder, hitting a career best .333 in 1993 in 186 at bats. In 1997 he signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers, playing there for one season. He ended his seven season baseball career, getting into 333 games; batting .277 with 159 hits 7 HRs 27 doubles & 78 RBIs.

Retirement: After his playing days he managed in the minor leagues for the Arizona D-backs, winning a Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year Award.

In 2006 he coached with the Diamondbacks big league club, under Bob Melvin. He remained there for three seasons, then came to the New York Mets in 2009 as their third base coach.

After the dismissal of Mets manager Jerry Manuel in 2012, Hale seemed to be a prime candidate for the job. He was interviewed, by the Mets chose to go with Terry Collins.

After spending the 2011 season on the Mets coaching staff, he signed on as the bench coach for the Oakland Athletics for 2012.

Surprising everyone, he & manager Bob Melvin led the A's to a Western Divisional crown & the teams first playoff berth in six seasons.