This is a 2012 photo of Kevin Long of the New York Yankees baseball team. This image reflects the Yankees' active roster as of Feb. 27, 2012, when this image was taken. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

 Matt Slocum

The New York Yankees predictably fired hitting coachΒ Kevin LongΒ last week, making the 1989 Arizona All-Pac-10 South outfielder the scapegoat for a lousy season. Long isn’t likely to be unemployed in 2015. He became the Yankees’ hitting coach at 39, and made a mark in the game before the Yankee roster got too old.

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