The Dodgers have announced that former big league infielder/outfielder and well-respected hitting coach Mickey Hatcher has been named Special Assistant to the General Manager. Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti made the announcement.

“Mickey’s been a World Series champion both as a player and coach,” said Colletti. “His baseball experience, legendary passion for the game and tremendous attitude will be a huge positive for our organization.” In his new position, Hatcher, 57, will devote time helping with player development as well as assisting the Major League staff.

Mickey Hatcher exchanges pleasantries with Don Mattingly before a spring training game in 2011. Is there anyone who didn’t expect Hatch to return to the Dodgers after his Pujols-induced firing from the Angels last month? (Photo by Jon SooHoo).

“It’s a great feeling being a Dodger again, it feels like I’ve come back home,” said Hatcher. “This is where my roots were and where I was taught everything about the game and where I learned about professionalism. I’m excited about the opportunity to meet everyone in the organization and about the energy created by the new ownership. I couldn’t be happier right now.”

Hatcher is best remembered by Dodger fans for his starring role in the 1988 World Series. In that Fall Classic, Hatcher hit .368 (7-for-19) with two homers, five RBI and five runs scored in five games, leading the Dodgers to the sixth World Championship in franchise history. In all, the Ohio native played in the Majors for 12 years, hitting a combined .280 with the Dodgers (1979-80, ’87-90) and Twins (1981-86) in 1,130 games as a first baseman, third baseman and outfielder.

Following his playing career, Hatcher coached and managed in the Dodger organization for Albuquerque (1991-92), Great Falls (1995-97) and San Bernardino (1998). He also spent time as the Texas Rangers’ first base coach (1993-94).

After a brief stint on the Dodger coaching staff in 1998 (first base coach/hitting instructor), Hatcher began a run of 13 seasons as the Angels’ hitting coach (2000-2012), where he helped the club win a World Series (2002) and capture six playoff berths. Under Hatcher, the Angels set several club offensive season records including batting average (.285 in 2009), hits (1,604, 2009), home runs (236, 2009), runs (883, 2009), RBI (841, 2009) and extra-base hits (517, 2002).

Following a standout career in both football and baseball at the University of Oklahoma, Hatcher was selected by the Dodgers in the fifth round of the 1977 First-Year Draft. He and his wife, Patty, reside in Buena Park.