Big Mac returns to SoCal as Dodgers hitting coach

“He’s owned up to making a mistake, but there’s so many other great qualities about him that you forgive the mistake,” he said. “That he apologized is very important.”

McGwire will be working with an accomplished group of hitters on the Dodgers, including All-Stars Kemp, Andre Ethier, Hanley Ramirez and Adrian Gonzalez.

“I absolutely love the job of being a hitting coach,” he said. “I love teaching and being around the game of baseball.”

Colletti said he sought McGwire partly after seeing how well-prepared the Cardinals‘ hitters were, including their ability to make in-game adjustments.

“We kept thinking about guys that had had success both with veteran players and also young players. We kept coming back to Mark,” he said. “We benefited from Mark’s love of his young family and where he resides. We’re very privileged and thrilled to have a person of this quality be our hitting coach.”

Colletti said the Dodgers would hire an assistant hitting coach later this week.

McGwire said he has no immediate managerial aspirations.

“But I would never rule it out,” he said. “Right now I’m having way too much fun working with the hitters.”

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