A's infield coach Ron Washington has gotten his fair share of publicity in recent years, in part because third baseman Eric Chavez, once labeled a great-bat, bad-glove prospect, credits Washington with turning him into a four-time Gold Glove winner.
Hitting coach Dave Hudgens, on the other hand, seems to get noticed only when the A's offense is in a funk, as it has been for most of this young season. Oakland entered Tuesday's game against the visiting Rangers with the third-fewest runs (94), the second-worst batting average with runners in scoring position (.220) and tied for second-worst overall batting average (.238) in the American League.
Asked about Hudgens' work, Chavez, who is off to the slowest start of his career, said any criticism the coach might be drawing is grossly unfair.
"If you ask me, Hudge is the equivalent to Wash," Chavez offered before batting practice. "He just doesn't get the recognition."