Dickerson named third base coach

The Orioles have chosen Bobby Dickerson as their new third base coach, completing manager Buck Showalter's staff for 2013. Dickerson, 47, replaces DeMarlo Hale, who accepted a job as the Blue Jays' bench coach. Dickerson has spent the past three seasons as the Orioles' minor league infield coordinator, and he will work with the infielders as part of his new job. He served as Triple-A Norfolk's manager from June 4, 2010 through the end of the season following Gary Allenson's promotion to the major league staff. Dickerson has been a minor league coach or manager for the last 20 years in the Orioles, Diamondbacks and Cubs organizations. Showalter managed Dickerson for two seasons (1987-88) in the Yankees' system. "Bobby has been in this organization for eight years as a coach and three as a player and he is regarded as one of the best infield instructors in the game," Showalter said in a statement. "Bobby's been with our major league club the last two Septembers and during spring training so he is familiar with our personnel, he has experience in Latin America and has been around a lot of winning teams. It is also great to be able to promote from within the organization." Dickerson played in the minor leagues for seven years in the Orioles and Yankees organizations after being selected in the 23rd round of the 1987 First-Year Player Draft out of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, La. Steve Smith removed himself from consideration for the third base coaching job. He was regarded as one of the favorites, having held the same job for Showalter in Texas. Other names under consideration included Don Wakamatsu - Showalter's bench coach in Texas - as well as Orioles coordinator of minor league instruction Brian Graham, former Nationals manager Jim Riggleman, former Orioles infielder Rich Dauer, former Cubs manager Mike Quade and former major league infielder Joey Cora.