Xavier Hernandez had trouble reaching the door of Durham's clubhouse late Friday night to start a long drive home to Houston.There were hugs at virtually every step between his locker and the exit, each wishing him good luck as he leaves professional baseball.
Durham's 13-2 loss to the Columbus Clippers marked the end of Hernandez's nine-year tenure as a pitching coach in the Tampa Bay system. On Monday, he starts his new job -- as the pitching coach at Houston Baptist.
"It's going to be tough without him because he's always been so good to us and we have a good relationship," said Richard De Los Santos, who led the International League in wins this year. "He was someone who always helped us out."
Hernandez, who was Montgomery's pitching coach in 2005-06 and has been with Durham the last four years, tried to quickly get out of the clubhouse in hopes he wouldn't get emotional.
It didn't work.
"He's going to do something he wants and it's on his terms," said reliever Dale Thayer, who has been with Hernandez since late in the 2007 season. "There were a lot of good tears."
Hernandez and Durham manager Charlie Montoyo, together since 2005 in Montgomery, shared a long hug at the start of Hernandez's trek.
"We're like brothers," Montoyo said. "I hope somebody gives him a chance someday in the big leagues.
"He deserves it."
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