Arlington (Sports Network) - The Texas Rangers hired Thad Bosley as their new hitting coach Tuesday.

Bosley takes over for Clint Hurdle, who left the American League champions last week when he was named manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

A former player, Bosley hasn't been on a major league staff since being fired by Oakland in 2003 after five years with the organization. Bosley spent his last four seasons in Oakland as hitting coach and the A's made the playoffs each year.

He played 14 seasons in the majors between 1977-1990, including the last two with Texas. He is the first former Rangers player to be hired as the team's hitting coach.

Bosley, who batted .272 in 784 career games, spent 2010 as the first head coach at Southwestern College in Phoenix, Arizona, and also coached Bethany University in Scotts Valley, California, for two years.

He joins a high-powered Rangers team that led the majors in hitting and went 90-72 last season, making the World Series for the first time ever.

Texas' offense is led by center fielder Josh Hamilton, who was named the AL's Most Valuable Player on Tuesday.