Cubs Fire Hitting Coach Jaramillo

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jun 12, 2012 7:40PM

And another major signing of the Jim Hendry Era is swept away. The Cubs did some housecleaning today with the release of hitting instructor and Edward James Olmos lookalike Rudy Jaramillo.

Jaramillo's arrival at Clark and Addison was heralded with the fanfare of a major free agent signing in 2010; Hendry made him the highest-paid hitting coach in the majors. His Texas Rangers teams won 17 Silver Slugger awards in 15 seasons, but also had players like Rafael Palmeiro, Juan Gonzalez and Ivan Rodriguez; all of them have long been suspected of benefiting from the Steroid Era and, with a lineup that included Derrek Lee, Alfonso Soriano, Geovany Soto and Aramis Ramirez, was expected to work the same wonders for the Cubs. But Jaramillo joined the team just as Hendry's house of cards began to fall. With the team unable to even scratch out runs under Lou Piniella, Mike Quade and now Dale Sveum, the decision to cut Jaramillo loose was a simple one.

Taking over for Jaramillo as the Cubs interim hitting coach is James Rowson, the Cubs minor league hitting instructor. Rowson joined the organization after six years with the New York Yankees organization and should provide a calming presence should prospects like Anthony Rizzo get called up from AAA Iowa. As for Jaramillo, he shouldn't have a problem getting a job with another club in the offseason.