The Tampa Bay Rays hired Kevin Cash as their new manager, according to multiple reports Friday.
Cash, who turns 37 on Saturday, has been the Cleveland Indians bullpen coach for the past two seasons.
Cash was chosen over Kanasas City Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu to replace Joe Maddon, who ended his nine-year tenure with the Rays by exercising an opt-out clause in his contract and later was named manager of the Chicago Cubs on Oct. 31.
Cash has no managerial experience but his work on the Cleveland staff and his 12 pro seasons as a player were enough to convince the Rays.
Cash was a major league catcher for eight seasons with Toronto, Tampa Bay, Boston, the New York Yankees and Houston from 2002 to 2010. He had a career batting average of .183 with 12 home runs and 58 RBIs.
Cash will become the fifth manager in team history.
