Chicago, IL -- (Sports Network) - The Chicago Cubs hired Rudy Jaramillo to be the team's hitting coach Wednesday.

Jaramillo, 59, joins the Cubs after declining the Texas Rangers' offer to return for the 2010 season last week. He had been the Rangers' hitting coach since 1995 and developed a reputation as one of the best in the business.

"Rudy Jaramillo is widely regarded as the premiere hitting instructor in the game," said Cubs general manager Jim Hendry. "The addition of Rudy to our franchise is a strong statement from our new owners, the Ricketts family, and we thank them for allowing us to move quickly to fill this important role with the best in the business."

Under Jaramillo's guidance, Texas hitters won 17 Silver Slugger Awards, four MVPs and three home run titles. During his tenure, the Rangers recorded 13 consecutive seasons of 800-plus runs scored, the longest streak by any major league team since the New York Yankees accomplished the feat in 17 straight seasons (1926-42).

2010 will represent Jaramillo's 32nd season in professional baseball and 20th as a major league hitting coach. He was also the Astros' hitting coach from 1990-93.