ARLINGTON (November 5, 2009)--Former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle is the new hitting coach for the Texas Rangers.

Hurdle was hired Thursday, taking over the job that Rudy Jaramillo held for 15 years before turning down a one-year deal at the end of the season. Jaramillo then got a three-year contract to become hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs.

The Rangers plan to emphasize situational hitting over slugging next season. Texas hit .260 last season, 11th in the AL, but was second with 224 homers.

Hurdle was the Rockies manager for seven-plus seasons before being fired in May, and led Colorado to the 2007 World Series.

Before being manager, he was the team's hitting coach for five-plus
seasons.