Rick H. Eckstein (born March 4, 1973) is an American professional baseball hitting coach. He is a hitting coach and the former hitting coach for Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Kentucky Wildcats baseball team, and assistant hitting coach and scout for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of MLB.

Rick Eckstein
Rick West (left) and Eckstein (right) in 2010
Coach
Born: (1973-03-04) March 4, 1973 (age 51)
Sanford, Florida, U.S.
Teams
As coach

Career

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Eckstein is an alumnus of the University of Florida. Eckstein became the hitting coach for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball in September 2008, after serving as the Columbus Clippers hitting coach. He also was the hitting coach on the United States national baseball team in the 2008 Olympics.[citation needed]

On November 5, 2013, Eckstein was named to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim coaching staff for the 2014 season.[1] On August 14, 2014, Eckstein left the Angels to join the staff of Gary Henderson at the University of Kentucky.[2] He was the minor league hitting coordinator for the Minnesota Twins organization for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

The Pittsburgh Pirates hired Eckstein as their hitting coach after the 2018 season.[3] On August 30, 2021, after nearly 3 seasons as hitting coach, the Pirates fired Eckstein.[4]

Personal life

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He is the older brother of former major leaguer David Eckstein. On December 8, 2010, Eckstein donated his right kidney to his brother, Ken, who is currently suffering from a renal disease.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ Gonzalez, Alden (November 5, 2013). "Angels add former hitting coach Eckstein to staff". Angels.com.
  2. ^ DiGiovanna, Mike (August 14, 2014). "Rick Eckstein leaves Angels to become Kentucky assistant coach". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  3. ^ "Rick Eckstein hired as Pirates hitting coach".
  4. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates fire hitting coach Rick Eckstein". 30 August 2021.
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Sporting positions
Preceded by Washington Nationals Hitting Coach
2008–2013
Succeeded by
Preceded by Pittsburgh Pirates Hitting Coach
2019–present
Succeeded by
Incumbent