The Oakland Athletics have tapped Mark McGwire as a special assistant in their player development department. They’re bringing back a legendary, if controversial, figure.
The hire reunites the slugger with the franchise where he spent his first 12 big-league seasons. He left a lasting imprint there and entered the Hall of Fame in 2019.
McGwire’s role signals a mentoring-focused approach to developing hitters. He’ll use his vast knowledge of hitting without the day-to-day grind of full-time coaching.
As the A’s announce the move, it’s worth wondering how this decision could shape the team’s young talent. The American League West is no joke—Oakland needs every edge it can get.
McGwire’s return to Oakland: what this move means for the A’s
For Oakland, this hire is about more than nostalgia. The team is emphasizing mentoring and development, tapping into McGwire’s decades of big-league hitting experience.
He’ll work in a flexible, non-pressurized role. The A’s are betting that McGwire’s hands-on expertise can speed up the growth of emerging players.
He gets to contribute without the commitments of a full-time coaching job. This setup mirrors a broader trend in baseball—veteran advisors sharing language, technique, and perspective with prospects.
A’s legacy and McGwire’s impact as a hitter
Mark McGwire’s on-field achievements with Oakland are etched into franchise history. He won the 1987 Rookie of the Year award and earned nine of his 12 All-Star selections while in Oakland.
He twice led the majors in home runs as an Athletic. McGwire was a central figure on the A’s teams that captured three straight pennants, culminating with the 1989 World Series title.
His presence in the lineup helped redefine what the franchise could achieve in that era. He remains the club’s career home runs leader with 363 and sits fourth in RBIs at 941.
McGwire’s knack for driving balls out of the park and his approach to plate discipline made him a force. The A’s want him back in a development-focused role—one that plays to his strengths without the full-time grind of a bench coach or hitting coach job.
- Career milestones: 363 home runs for the Athletics, 941 RBIs, multiple AL-leading seasons.
- Postseason impact: A pivotal contributor on pennant-winning teams and a World Series champion with Oakland in 1989.
- Coaching pedigree: Experience as a hitting coach with the St. Louis Cardinals (2011 World Series title) and roles with the Dodgers and Padres.
- Legacy complexities: Acknowledged steroid use in the late 1990s, a factor in Hall of Fame considerations and public perception.
Controversy and coaching pedigree: what Cardinals, Dodgers, and Padres experience brings
McGwire’s career arc is as notable for its coaching stops as for its statistics. After leaving a full-time role in 2018 to spend more time with family, he returned to the game as a trusted hitting instructor and mentor.
His tenure as the Cardinals’ hitting coach helped drive their 2011 World Series triumph. He later shared his insights with the Dodgers and Padres.
That breadth of experience gives Oakland a versatile resource: a guy who understands the grind of an MLB season. He knows the mechanics of hitting and how to help players still figuring out big-league life.
Of course, his admission of PED use has colored public perception and Hall of Fame considerations. The A’s clearly believe McGwire’s knowledge can benefit a broad range of hitters in their system.
The special assistant role lets him share that experience without the schedule constraints of a full-time coach. He gets a platform to influence player development while staying aligned with the organization’s long-term aims.
What this hire means for the A’s player development program
Oakland wants to show it can blend a veteran, high-impact voice into its player development strategy. Someone who can actually teach approach and technique, while helping younger players deal with the ups and downs of a long season.
In this role, McGwire gets to work with hitters at all levels. He’ll share his own philosophy on swing mechanics, pitch recognition, and the mental side of preparation.
It’s a good reminder: elite hitting isn’t just built on the field. It grows from steady guidance, feedback, and a familiar face in the clubhouse and cages.
Looking ahead, McGwire will help design and deliver hitting-development plans. He’ll evaluate how prospects are progressing and coach players who want to turn raw talent into real big-league results.
Here is the source article for this story: A’s Hire Mark McGwire As Special Assistant
Experience Baseball History in Person
Want to walk the same grounds where baseball legends made history? Find accommodations near iconic ballparks across America and create your own baseball pilgrimage.
Check availability at hotels near: Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium
Plan your ballpark visit: Get MLB Ballpark Tickets and find accommodations nearby.
- Biographies
- Stadium Guides
- Current Baseball Players
- Current Players by Team
- Players that Retired in the 2020s
- Players that Retired in the 2010s
- Players that Retired in the 2000s
- Players that Retired in the 1990s
- Players that Retired in the 1980s
- Players that Retired in the 1970s
- Players that Retired in the 1960s
- Players that Retired in the 1950s
- Players that Retired in the 1940s
- Players that Retired in the 1930s