Diamondbacks Fire Shaun Larkin as Third-Base Coach
- PHOENIX - In a move announced following Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning victory over the Cleveland Guardians, Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo revealed a change to his coaching staff.
- Despite the change, Larkin will not be leaving the Diamondbacks association.
- The decision to remove Larkin from his third-base coaching duties wasn't made lightly.
Diamondbacks Make Coaching Change, Shifting Larkin to New Role
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A Challenging Decision for Lovullo
PHOENIX – In a move announced following Wednesday’s 3-2 extra-inning victory over the Cleveland Guardians, Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo revealed a change to his coaching staff. Shaun Larkin will step down from his position as third-base coach, effective with Friday’s series opener against the Cincinnati reds. Lovullo emphasized the difficulty of the decision,acknowledging the weight of obligation placed on Larkin.
Larkin’s Transition and Continued Role
Despite the change, Larkin will not be leaving the Diamondbacks association. He will transition to a role focused on working directly with the infielders, a position where Lovullo expressed continued confidence in his abilities. Lovullo noted that Larkin had never previously coached third base at the Major League level and that the role demands a unique skillset. “He’s got a great nose for this game, and he works hard,” Lovullo said, highlighting Larkin’s dedication.
the Weight of Scrutiny and a Critical Play
The decision to remove Larkin from his third-base coaching duties wasn’t made lightly. Lovullo acknowledged that Larkin faced increasing scrutiny throughout the season regarding his in-game decisions, frequently enough finding himself answering questions about controversial calls in postgame press conferences. A especially impactful moment occurred during Wednesday’s game against the Guardians. With the game tied, James McCann hit a ball to center field, and after the center fielder stumbled, Larkin waved Alek Thomas around third base. However, Angel Martínez recovered to make a remarkable throw, resulting in Thomas being tagged out at home. It was during this game that Lovullo made his final decision.
Lovullo also noted that the pressure had begun to affect Larkin personally. “I noticed that the scrutiny had been wearing on him,” he said. “I saw the reaction of certain guys. I’m not an idiot. I pay attention.”
Accountability and Moving Forward
Lovullo praised Larkin’s reaction to the news, stating that he took full responsibility for the situation and understood the need for a change. “He knew that it was creating a lot of noise for this organization, a lot of noise for me, and he was embarrassed by that,” Lovullo shared. The team will now begin the process of evaluating both internal and external candidates to fill the vacant third-base coaching position.