After spending the better parts of five seasons as a player at AA with the Pirates, Tony Beasley tried something new in 1998. He tried coaching, The Raleigh News and Observer wrote.
"This year is kind of a trial to see if it's something I'm interested in," Beasley told The News and Observer that April. "It's going to seem weird not playing, but it's something I really need to think about and find out if this is what I want to do, another way to stay in the game."
As it turned out, Beasley was interested. He's gone on to a long career as a coach and manager in the minors - and coach in the majors. In 2022, he even served as interim major league manager with the Rangers.
Beasley's career in baseball began in 1989, taken by the Orioles in the 19th round of the draft out of Liberty University.
Beasley started with the Orioles at short-season Erie. He saw 65 games and hit .279. That August, he spoke to The Richmond Times-Dispatch after he had a slow start, but picked up the pace.
"I tried to think positive," Beasley told The Times-Dispatch of his slow start. "I have strong Christian beliefs and kept faith. I knew He didn't put me here for nothing."
Beasley moved to high-A Frederick for 1990 and returned there for 1991. He hit .251 and .248.
For 1992, he moved to the Pirates system and split time between high-A Salem and AA Carolina. He saw AAA Buffalo for 30 games in 1993 and hit .190.
He saw AAA again at Calgary in 1997, 75 games. He hit .273. Otherwise, he played at Carolina. He played his final six games at Carolina in 1998 as a player coach.
He turned hitting coach in the Gulf Coast League in 1999, then manager at short-season Williamsport in 2001. In 2006, he moved up to the majors as third base coach with the Nationals.
Beasley held the same third base coaching job with the Pirates in Pittsburgh from 2007 to 2009. He arrived with the Rangers as third base coach in 2015 and has remained in that role into 2022. He is to return to the staff in 2023.
In mid-2022, Beasley also stepped into the Rangers' interim manager role. He went 17-31 and earned an interview for the permanent job that ultimately went to Bruce Bochy, The Dallas Morning-News wrote.
"I'm glad that I'm going to be back," Beasley told The Morning News in October 2022. "But not being part of this organization was never a thought in my mind. I've been here eight years; I want to be part of getting this right."
- Richmond Times-Dispatch, Aug. 13, 1989: Faith keyed turnaround by Beasley
- Raleigh News and Observer, April 2, 1998: Mudcats' opening act on the road
- Dallas Morning-News, Oct. 28, 2022: Why leaving Rangers was 'never a thought' for Tony Beasley after Bruce Bochy's hire
Made the Majors:1,364-33.1%
Never Made Majors:2,753-66.9%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:556
10+ Seasons in the Minors:336
More 1990 Minor Leaguers:
- Billy Bean made headlines in his majors playing days, after, 9/16/10
- Garrett Beard found minors great experience in 7 seasons, 11/22/17
- Jim Beauchamp knew hard work made bigs, as player, coach, 5/27/12
- Kash Beauchamp realized dream with pros, saw long career, 12/19/11
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