Larry Parrish hired as Braves hitting coach!

Atlanta Braves Executive Vice President and General Manager Frank Wren and Manager Fredi Gonzalez today announced the hiring of Larry Parrish as the Braves' hitting coach for 2011.

"Larry has a great reputation in the game and came highly recommended," Gonzalez said. "His background truly speaks for itself. This is an extremely hard-working group of coaches who are great communicators."

Wren added, "Larry has a very impressive resume. As a player, coach and manager, he has demonstrated a passion for understanding and teaching the art of hitting. Larry was a very good player and has continued to excel in his coaching career."

The Toledo Mud Hens organization would like to say "Thank You" for his tremendous dedication and success over the past seven seasons in Toledo.

Mud Hens President Joe Napoli said, "Larry Parrish is the consummate professional, a terrific manager and he will be a terrific hitting coach for the Atlanta Braves, we will miss him."

Parrish became the all-time winningest manager in Toledo professional baseball history on Tuesday, July 6th when Toledo defeated Columbus, 9-4. The win was No. 541 for Parrish, passing Cal Ermer (manager for Toledo 1978-85).

Parrish just completed his seventh season as Mud Hens manager. The 56-year-old led the club to Governors' Cup championships in 2005 & 2006 and was named the 2005 Sporting News Manager of the Year. Parrish guided the Hens to a 569-551 record (.508) since 2003 and ranks 1st in Toledo history in games managed at 1,120.

2010 was Parrish's 13th season overall as a manager. He has a career record of 773-800. Along with his Governors' Cup titles with Toledo, Parrish led Single-A Niagara Falls to a New York-Penn League championship in 1993 and the Double-A Jacksonville Suns to the 1996 Southern League championship. He managed 185 games for the Detroit Tigers from 1998-99, compiling a record of 82-104.

MUD HENS ALL-TIME MANAGERIAL RECORDS (ranked by wins)

Larry Parrish: 569-551 (2003-2010)

Cal Ermer: 540-575 (1978-1985)

Charles Strobel 497-402 (1896-1902)

Casey Stengel 490-498 (1926-31)