BOSTON -- As a high school star growing up in Tampa, Dave Magadan was drafted by the Red Sox, but elected to attend the University of Alabama.

Following a 16-year major league career and the past five years as a coach with the San Diego Padres, Magadan's has finally landed in Boston, introduced yesterday as the Red Sox hitting instructor.

Signing out of high school with the Sox was "something I always thought about," said Magadan yesterday. "It's strange how things come full circle."

Magadan replaces Ron Jackson, who was not invited back after this season. After being dismissed as the Padres' hitting coach in June, Magadan met with Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein late in the season to discuss role in the organization.

"We offered an invitation to come aboard with the Red Sox in a role to be determined later," Epstein said. "I thought he had a lot to offer the organization, whether it be in a scouting capacity, roving (instructor) capacity or coaching capacity. We exposed him to a lot of different areas of our organization. We all put our heads together and decided the best role would be as our major league hitting coach."

"When Mags and I sat down," said manager Terry Francona, "I knew right away, just from speaking to him casually, that he had a real good feel about hitting."

A lifetime .288 hitter who hit over .300 five times, Magadan maintains a flexible yet simple approach to hitting.

"I think every hitter has his own personal quirks at the plate," said Magadan. "I think, as a hitting instructor, you've got to work within the framework of each hitter. There isn't just one way to hit.

Magadan stressed the value of a strong work ethic and promised to use video to ready players.

"As a hitting coach, you need to be prepared," Magadan said. "When a new pitcher comes into the game, giving your hitters an idea how they're going to be pitched (is important). David Ortiz isn't going to be pitched the same way as Alex Cora, so you've got to know your hitters and know what little bit of information they need about that pitcher."

Francona to coach All-Stars

Major League Baseball and the Major League Players Association announced yesterday that Francona would manage a group of All-Stars headed to Japan for an five-game exhibition series in November.

Francona replaces Ken Macha, who was set to handle the job until he was fired by the Oakland A's earlier this week. Macha issued a strong recommendation for Francona as his replacement, as the two are extremely close.

The team will not include any Red Sox players after the Sox earlier this year discouraged Jonathan Papelbon and Ortiz from participating.

"I told Theo, 'That might have been a mistake,' " recounted Francona with a chuckle. "If I had known I was going to be the manager, I would have told David he needed to play."

Bullpen job still open

The Sox still are unsure about who will be their bullpen coach. Al Nipper, hired in that capacity before being promoted to interim pitching coach after Dave Wallace became ill in spring training, remains a possibility.

Epstein said newly hired pitching coach John Farrell will have input in the hiring.

"John is still in the process of assessing the bullpen coaching situation," said Epstein. "No decisions have been made."

The Sox are also still waiting to hear from first base coach Bill Haselman, who might want to manage in the minor leagues -- either for the Red Sox or another organization.

"There are still ongoing discussions with Hass," said Epstein.

smcadam@projo.com / (401) 277-7340