Reds hire former Meadowdale star Don Long

Published 12:31 pm Wednesday, December 4, 2013

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds have filled out their coaching staff for first-year manager Bryan Price, hiring Jay Bell as their bench coach and Meadowdale High School graduate Don Long as their hitting coach.

Long, 51, spent the past three seasons as the Atlanta Braves’ minor-league hitting coordinator. He was the Pittsburgh Pirates’ hitting coach for three seasons (2008-10). Long was part of the Meadowdale High School baseball team that won the state title in 1980 and played college baseball at Washington State.

Bell was the Pirates’ hitting coach last season, when they beat the Reds in a one-game wild-card playoff. He also served as bench coach for Bob Melvin in Arizona for five seasons.

Jeff Pico will fill Price’s spot as pitching coach. Pico spent 11 seasons with Arizona.