By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Reds named Tom Robson as hitting coach, filling the one opening on their coaching staff.

Robson replaces JimLefebvre, who was not offered a chance to return.

Reds manager Bob Boone described Robson as "real low-key." Lefebvre wasn't low-key, but Boone wasn't deliberately looking to make a change based on personality.

"I thought Jimmy did a pretty good job," Boone said. "Unfortunately in our society, when hitters don't hit, the hitting coach gets blamed."

Robson faces a challenge. At .231, the Reds were among the worst teams in baseball with runners in scoring position last season.

"There's great talent there," Robson said. "I'll get to know the hitters. From biokinetics and experience, we know what it takes to be a good hitter. But we also know they can do it their way."

Robson, 56, spent last season as the New York Mets' bench coach. He was the Mets' hitting coach from 1997 to 2000 and was a special assistant to general manager Steve Phillips in 2001. He was the Texas Rangers' hitting coach from 1989-92.

Last season was Robson's 12th as a major-league coach.

"I'm looking forward to working with the Reds' young hitters," Robson said. "I think, with going into the new ballpark, we have a chance to have a great year."

Said Boone of Robson: "(Mets manager Bobby) Valentine just loved him. He's very thorough. He showed me his evaluations of pitchers in the league. They were phenomenal."

Robson played professionally for nine years - nearly all of it in the minors. He played 23 games for the Rangers in 1974 and '75.

BRANYAN UPDATE: First baseman/outfielder Russell Branyan underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Branyan, who injured the shoulder while playing winter ball, is expected to be out until mid-April or early May.