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Brewers bring back ex-manager Dale Sveum as coach

MILWAUKEE (AP) The Brewers hired Dale Sveum as hitting coach Tuesday, bringing back the interim manager who led Milwaukee to its first playoff berth in 26 years.

Sveum had been a managerial candidate, but general manager Doug Melvin picked former Oakland Athletics skipper Ken Macha last week, citing a need for experience.

Sveum took over as manager this year after the club fired Ned Yost with 12 games to go. Sveum finished with a 7-5 record, winning six of the final seven games to help Milwaukee win the NL wild card on the final day of the regular season.

The Brewers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Philadelphia, the eventual World Series champion.

The 44-year-old Sveum has said he wants to be a manager one day. He won a title with Boston in 2004 as third base coach and was on the Red Sox staff in 2005 as well.

Sveum became the Brewers' third base coach in 2006, was the team's bench coach in 2007 and returned to third base in 2008 before becoming interim manager.

He takes over his newest role as hitting coach from Jim Skaalen, who was not offered a new contract.

The Brewers also announced Ed Sedar will return as first base coach, Brad Fischer will be the new third base coach and Bill Castro will return for his 18th season as bullpen coach.

Macha has not yet selected a pitching coach, and the club said Castro is in consideration for that role. Macha also has yet to decide on a bench coach.