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Don Long was named Hitting Coach of the Pirates on November 27, 2007. During
his first season of instructing the Pittsburgh hitters, the team scored a total of 735
runs, the most by the Pirates since 2003 (753). The 08 squad also ranked seventh
in the National League in hits (1454) and fifth in doubles (314) while hitting 153
home runs, the highest total for the team since 2003 (163). Under his tutelage, the
Pirates produced the second-highest batting average with runners in scoring position
in the league (.276) behind the Chicago Cubs (.278) and outfielder Nate McLouth
shared the N.L. lead in doubles (46).
Prior to joining the Pittsburgh organization, Long worked eight years as the minor league hitting coordinator with the
Philadelphia Phillies. He spent the 1999 season as the Phillies roving hitting instructor.
Long spent 11 years as a manager in the Angels minor league sytem before joining Philadelphia. After working as a coach
with Quad City in 1987, he made his managerial debut with the Bend Bucks in 1988. Don returned to Quad City and was
named Midwest League Manager-of-the-Year after leading his squad to the 1990 league title. A year later he captured Managerof-
the-Year accolades again after guiding his Midland club to a 37-30 second-half record and into the Texas League playoffs.
After two more seasons with Midland (1992-93), Long managed in the Pacific Coast League for three years, leading
Vancouver to a pair of first-place finishes. He advanced to the league championship in 1994 and was named Manager-ofthe-
Year in 1995 after guiding the club to an 81-60 regular-season record and an appearance in the post season. In his 11
seasons as a minor league skipper, Long produced a 698-697 record.
A former switch-hitting infielder, Long was originally selected by San
Francisco in the third round of the 1983 June draft. He played three
years in the Giants farm system (1983-85) where he compiled a .251
batting average, 12 home runs and 76 RBI in 198 games. Before
becoming a manager in the minor leagues, Long served as the Head
Baseball Coach at Seattle University in 1986.
PERSONAL: Donald Thomas Long...Wife's name is Dian...Has
three sons; Stewart (6/15/94), Preston (1/3/98) and Tyler
(8/14/03)...Is a 1980 graduate of Meadowdale High School in
Lynnwood, WA...Attended Washington State University and earned All-
Pac 10 honors as a shortstop in 1983.
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