The Pittsburgh Pirates fired third-base coach Joey Cora after five seasons with the club.
Cora, now 57, who also coached infielders, is the second member of manager Derek Shelton’s coaching staff to be fired after the Pirates finished in last place in the NL Central for the third consecutive season with a record of 61-101. Hitting coach Rick Eckstein was fired in late August. Both were holdovers from Clint Hurdle’s coaching staff.
The Pirates had 19 baserunners thrown out at home this season — most in the major leagues — but also had the fewest errors (70). Shortstop Kevin Newman, who had a 76-game errorless streak this season, credited Cora with providing him drills to work on his fielding and lateral quickness in the offseason.