Sparks, Steverson reunite with Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox' offense was the worst in the American League last season, ranking last in runs scored, home runs and OPS while finishing second from the bottom in on-base percentage.

Hitting coach Todd Steverson took plenty of the blame for the Sox' poor showing, but he'll be back in 2016.

To help Steverson get better offensive production, the White Sox hired Greg Sparks as assistant hitting coach. Sparks replaces Harold Baines, who has moved to an ambassador's role.

The two hitting coaches worked together in the Oakland Athletics' organization, where Sparks served as minor-league hitting coordinator last season.

"Familiarity actually is a plus on this level right here," said Steverson, the Sox' hitting coach the past two seasons. "But really, (Sparks) is somebody that comes in with a solid work ethic and understands the program we're trying to put in place with the White Sox, and he has the personality to mesh with our players."

Sparks' father, Joe, was the Sox' first-base coach in 1979. Greg Sparks was the White Sox' batboy that season, and he joked about surviving the infamous Disco Demolition Night.

"It's kind of a full circle deal," said Sparks, who played 12 minor-league seasons with nine organizations and was a .241 hitter. "The White Sox have been in the family for a long time and it's kind of ironic how it worked out that my first major-league gig is going to be with the White Sox, the same as my dad's was in '79."

Heading into 2016, there are multiple challenges for Steverson and Sparks.

"I did look at the players we have here," Sparks said. "It's a younger bunch. Yeah, there are some free swingers, but they're athletic. They're good-looking players. There's a lot of ability there and talent. It's an exciting time. It wasn't a matter of an opportunity to show what I can do. It's an opportunity to go out and work with a bunch of talented, young players."

Having worked together in the A's minor-league system, Steverson and Sparks are going to be on the same page with the Sox.

"The message doesn't change whatsoever," Steverson said. "I'd have to say anybody that has played the game would agree that about 95-96 percent of any player's hits during the course of his career were off of strikes. And that message isn't going to change. Be on time, be ready for a ball that's a strike.

"Really, we're not trying to confuse anybody around here. With Greg comes the message that he knows I give, coming from the same place, and it should be a good combination."

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