Buckner Joins White Sox

The Chicago White Sox hired former Spokane Indian Bill Buckner as their new hitting coach and agreed to a $2.8 million, two-year contract with center fielder Darren Lewis.

Buckner, who signed a multiyear contract, replaces Walt Hriniak, who was fired. Buckner has been the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor-league hitting instructor the last four years.

Lewis fills a vacancy created when the Sox did not re-sign Lance Johnson, the A.L. hits leader from last season. Lewis gets $1 million.

Gold Glove shortstop Omar Vizquel signed a five-year, $15.35 million extension, giving the 1996 Cleveland Indians a similar look to the club that won the pennant last season.

“I’m one of the most excited people in the world right now,” he said. “Six years seems to me to be a really long time to be on a team. But I was looking for a family, for a home. I’ve never had a chance to sign a long contract; this was the first opportunity that I had and I did it.”