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Mark Grace is no longer a broadcaster for the Arizona Diamondbacks, but that does not mean he won't be affiliated with the team.

The D-backs confirmed Monday that Grace will be an assistant coach. He will work as an infielding and hitting instructor during Spring Training and will roam between minor league teams during the regular season.

"Mark's going to have a great influence, of course he had a special career but in addition to that he can now talk to them and teach them the rights and wrongs off the field," Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall said. "He's a perfect example and he's told us he's willing to do so."

Grace was arrested last summer for driving under the influence after having done the same thing in May 2011. He started a fourth month stay at "Tent City" on February 10, where he will be from 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. on a daily basis. He is only allowed to leave in order to go to work.

Grace played for the Diamondbacks from 2001-2003 and helped the team win the World Series in 2001. Before that he was with the Chicago Cubs, and D-backs manager Kirk Gibson believes the former All-Star has plenty to offer the team in his new role.

"He's got a lot of knowledge and wisdom, he's been in the game a long time and he's got a great sense of humor," Gibson said. "We felt like he had something to add."

Gibson called the move a "no brainer" and said things have been going well so far.

Grace was a career .303 hitter who also won four Gold Gloves at first base. He had been working on the TV broadcasts for the team since 2004.

Arizona Sports,

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    ollieburger wrote...
    Mark Grace dont forgive this sin
    you got to be kidding ,now you know why we have red uniforms.How dumb can you be ?This guy should not be around this team,your just saying its OK .Well its not dont give him rewards for being an idiot maybe next time he'll run over one of the little guys then what ?I was begining to think you actuall y were begining to stand for something .
  • Abuse
    DepressedAZFan wrote...
    Nothing wrong with this
    The dude was a good ball player, as long as he isn't taking Goldschmidt to Mil Ave after a big win and teaching him how to rack up more singles if you catch my drift, then this will be fine. I could care less what he did off the field, disappointing? Sure, but that doesn't mean he can't teach these guys how to be a better athlete. I wont ask my mechanic to watch my kids, but I'll take my car to him any day, meaning this, if a career .300 hitter and gold glove winner is going to be working with these guys? can't go wrong there.
  • Abuse
    Gpa28 wrote...
    GRACEY
    My hope is that Mark realizes the chance he has been given. D Hall is really a true friend of his. This is a good case of a "second chance" being given. Gracey and booze are a bad combo hope he learns. Go D-backs ! ! !
  • Abuse
    gijoe516 wrote...
    MLB is...
    full of guys who have screwed up once or twice. Grace is going to jail. If that doesnt send him a message, then he's a complete dope. The Dbacks are a class organization. Hopefully some of that will finally rub off on Grace.
  • Abuse
    walkinaz wrote...
    Mark Grace
    Everyone screws up in their life. Everyone. The degree at which we do screw up varies. Mark Grace screwed up big time. He didn't kill anyone, hurt anyone or destroy property. But he screwed himself up royally. One thing I can say is that this will not be forgotten for a long time and the first little slip by him for whatever reason, will come back to haunt him. Hopefully he will think about this all the time so that he won't slip up. He has two kids and he needs to step up and make sure his kids know that what he did was wrong and here's what I am doing to prevent it from happening again.
  • Abuse
    sundevil79 wrote...
    Did not see this coming
    I like Grace but not sure if this is the right move by the Dbacks. Time will tell.
  • Abuse
    Whatashame wrote...
    This will be good
    for Grace and it will be good for the team.
  • Abuse
    ohboy1956 wrote...
    Bottom of the 9th
    If Gracie dosn't get that lead off single in the bottom of the 9th in Game 7 of the World Series, Phoenix would not have its only major sports championship. We owe him a thrid strike. If he strikes out then its over. I pray he has learned his lesson.
  • Abuse
    D-BROKE wrote...
    I'll Drink To That!
    Let's have another round!
  • Abuse
    Japricka_Joe wrote...
    PERFECT EXAMPLE
    This is GREAT and a good move by the AZ Diamondback organization. These players are role models to the kids and what a better example than Mark Grace to let kids see that you can go out and get two DUI's in less than a years and be treated special. No sitting in the cage to pay for what you did like the other offenders. If I owned the Diamondbacks I wouldn't allow Grace to come within 5000 feet of the stadium let alone come on the field and coach ! The world is SHOT ! and this proves that there really is a big club and regular people are not members ! PATHETIC is what this is.
    J.Joey
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