Giants fill Wotus’ spot with Posey’s college roommate Mark Hallberg
The Giants announced three moves on their coaching staff Tuesday, filling spots vacated by longtime third-base coach Ron Wotus and assistant hitting coach Donnie Ecker.
San Francisco promoted Mark Hallberg to third base coach after he spent the prior two years on Gabe Kapler’s coaching staff as an assistant coach.
Hallberg, 35, was Buster Posey’s teammate at Florida State. Hallberg’s arrival in Tallahassee is the reason why the recently retired Giants star moved from shortstop to catcher.
“I was like, ‘This guy’s more talented with the glove than I am at shortstop,’” Posey told The Athletic in 2019. “It was pretty obvious we were going to be a better team with him at that position.’”
The two eventually became close friends and roommates at Florida State.
Filling Ecker’s spot on the hitting staff is 32-yearold Pedro Guerrero, who was on Kapler’s staff in Philadelphia in the same role. Guerrero is not to be confused with the 65-yearold former Dodgers and Cardinals infielder by the same name who shared the 1981 MVP award.
NFL
RODGERS STANDS BY REMARKS, ADMITS BEING MISLEADING ON STATUS >>
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says he stands behind the comments he made last week about why he didn’t get vaccinated for COVID-19, but acknowledges misleading some people about his status before testing positive.
Rodgers spoke Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show” on YouTube and SiriusXM, four days after discussing on the same outlet his reasons for avoiding a vaccine. Rodgers tested positive Wednesday, was unavailable to play in the Packers’ 13-7 loss Sunday at Kansas City and remains quarantined in his Green Bay home.
“I shared an opinion that’s polarizing,” Rodgers said. “I get it. And I misled some people about my status, which I take full responsibility of, those comments. But in the end, I have to stay true to who I am and what I’m about. I stand behind the things that I said.”
BROWNS RB CHUBB TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 >>
The Browns didn’t have much time to celebrate their biggest win this season before being hit with another off-field issue.
Star running back Nick Chubb is being placed on the COVID-19 list after testing positive and could miss this week’s game at New England, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
One of the NFL’s best backs, Chubb is going on the list along with rookie running back Demetric Felton, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team has not made the transaction official.
Tennis
US OPEN CHAMPION RADUCANU LOSES TO QUALIFIER >>
Chinese qualifier Xinyu Wang upset U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu 6-1, 6-7 (0), 7-5 in the second round of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz.
The 18-year-old Briton, who was the top seed at a WTA event for the first time, held serve in the opening game but lost the next six, while winning just two points on the 106thranked Wang’s serve.
Soccer
WONDOLOWSKI TAKES ON NEW ROLE WITH QUAKES >>
Though San Jose Earthquakes legend Chris Wondolowski announced his retirement from playing, he won’t be leaving the team any time soon.
At a news conference honoring Wondolowski’s 17-year career on Tuesday, general manager Chris Leitch announced that the leading goal scorer in MLS history will now be a special assistant to the GM.