Here's a little on Joe Vavra from Wikipedia, I've known Joe for 20+ years, (since his days with the Dodgers) he was a very good fielding middle infielder and after his playing days were over he became a very good manager. Despite what you may see from him as a hitting coach, as a manager he is firey and intense and is very entertaining when he goes after an umpire. I'm maybe a little bias since he is a friend but I think he is a very good baseball guy and a assest to the Twins. I think that's why he was kept around and reassigned. Beginning in 1987, Vavra coached in the Dodger's minor league system. While at Yakima, Washington in Class A, he was named Manager of the Year for 1994 and 1996 for the Northwest League after winning the Division title in 1994 and the League championship in 1996. Vavra coached for ten years in the minors before moving to the Dodgers major league staff. He served in special assignments and as a roving coach before becoming the permanent bunting and baserunning coach in 2000. After a brief stint as the head coach of UW–Stout baseball, Vavra joined the Twins staff in 2002. On October 27, 2005, Vavra was named the Twins' hitting coach. Vavra attended the 2008 MLB Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium to pitch for Justin Morneau. Morneau beat Josh Hamilton to win the Home Run Derby. During Vavra's tenure in Minnesota, the Twins have consistently ranked among the best in the league for both individual and team hitting stats.
