Tampa Bay Rays hire former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder as new first base coach

The Tampa Bay Rays have hired the former big league outfielder to be the team's first base coach for the upcoming 2026 season.

He replaces Michael Johns, who took a job with the Washington Nationals as their new bench coach in November.

Dickerson played for eight major league teams during an 11 year big league career. In 2021, he spent half a year with the Toronto Blue Jays, after being acquired in a midseason trade where he was sent to Toronto along with pitcher Adam Cimber in exchange for infielder Joe Panik and minor leaguer Andrew McInvale.

Prior to his time with the Blue Jays, Dickerson also suited up for the Rockies, Rays, Pirates, Phillies, and Marlins. Following stints with the Cardinals and Nationals, he retired from baseball in 2024.

While his new position with Tampa Bay will be his first time coaching in the major leagues, it is not his only experience. In June of 2024, he was hired as the head baseball coach at Jackson Academy, near his hometown of McComb, Mississippi.

Dickerson knows Rays manager Kevin Cash well. During his time in a Tampa Bay uniform, he played under Cash, who is entering his 12 season helming the Rays and is currently the longest-tenured manager in major league baseball.

During his playing career, Dickerson topped 20 home runs three times, and was named an All-Star in 2017.