Pat Murphy returning as manager of El Paso Chihuahuas

Pat Murphy is returning as manager of the El Paso Chihuahuas in 2015, the Chihuahuas and San Diego Padres announced today. Hitting coach Jody Davis is also returning to the coaching staff and is joined by new pitching coach Bronswell Patrick.

Murphy led the Chihuahuas to a 72-72 record in 2014. In his time coaching Notre Dame (1988-1994) and Arizona State (1995-2009), and managing Padres’ affiliates in Eugene (2011-2012), Tucson (2013) and El Paso (2014), Murphy’s teams have never had a losing record.

Murphy pitched for four seasons professionally, including the 1983 season for the Padres’ High-A Salem affiliate.

Davis split the 2014 season between High-A Lake Elsinore and Triple-A El Paso, serving as hitting coach at both stops. He previously worked as a hitting coach, manager and roving instructor in the Chicago Cubs’ organization from 2006-2010. Davis played ten seasons in the Major Leagues with the Cubs and Atlanta Braves.

Davis was a Major League All-Star in 1984 and 1986. He won a National League Gold Glove in 1986, the same year he set a modern Major League record by throwing out 73 attempted base stealers.

Patrick enters his eighth season as a pitching coach in the Padres organization. He has one previous year of Triple-A coaching experience, 2013 with Tucson, and spent last season at High-A Lake Elsinore. Patrick was originally drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 1988 and played two seasons in the Major Leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers (1998) and San Francisco Giants (1999).

Patrick worked at Southwest University Park in late September as pitching coach for Naranjeros de Hermosillo in the GECU Mexican Baseball Fiesta.

Athletic trainers Nate Stewart and Isak Yoon, as well as strength and conditioning coach A.J. Russell, will return to the Chihuahuas in 2015.

Source: El Paso Chihuahuas