By RONALD BLUM The Associated Press Wednesday, November 2, 2005; 8:32 PM
NEW YORK -- Former Baltimore manager Lee Mazzilli rejoined the New York Yankees on Wednesday as Joe Torre's bench coach.
Mazzilli was the Yankees' first base and outfield coach from 2000-03, then became manager of the Orioles until he was fired Aug. 4. Mazzilli replaces Joe Girardi, who was hired to manage the Florida Marlins.
Former San Diego and Philadelphia manager Larry Bowa was hired Tuesday as New York's third-base coach, and former Kansas City manager Tony Pena might become first-base coach.
"Each and every one of us has gone through everything that you can kind of experience already," Mazzilli said. "You're somewhat prepared for any actions that arise."
Baltimore went 78-84 under Mazzilli in 2004 and was 51-56 when he was let go.
"Lee was certainly qualified for this position before he had been a major league manager and he's only that much more capable now," Torre said in a statement.
Mazzilli said he would like to manage again but wouldn't think about the possibility of succeeding Torre, who says he likely will retire after his contract expires at the end of the 2007 season.
"That's just way ahead of the game," Mazzilli said. "You always want to continue to manage _ it's in your blood, but that's not what I'm thinking about right now."
Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman and other top team executives completed two days of meetings in New York, discussing possible offseason trades and signings.
Mazzilli's closer in Baltimore, B.J. Ryan, is one of the pitchers the Yankees are thinking about trying to sign as a setup man for Mariano Rivera, a role Tom Gordon filled the last two seasons. Mazzilli thought Ryan would consider coming to the Yankees.
"B.J. is definitely one of the quality pitchers out there," Mazzilli said. "He did a great job with the Orioles. We would love to have him. If there's anything I can do to try to persuade him to come, it would be great."
Sure he did. I was at almost all the games. This man was truly into his team...in the end, they convinced management that he was the problem, not Palmeiro or Sosa or the offense leaning on Roberts. The Orioles will continue to suck until they learn how to play the game for nine innings.
I'm glad he's back. Loved him at first base, gonna love him in the dugout.
"Sit back and watch the Redskins.
SOMETHING MAGICAL IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!"
JPFair- A fan's fan. RIP, brother
joebagadonuts wrote:'bench coach': a guy who sits around, eating sunflower seeds, and once in awhile chimes in about what he would do if he were in charge. awesome job.
You just about wrapped it up! lol.
Did you ever read Ball Four by Jim Bouton? He gets into an argument with the bullpen coach when said coach refuses to help him warm up by catching the knuckleball between innings.
Coach: "I can't catch for you, I have to sit here and watch the game, I have a job to do!"
Bouton: "What job? A (explitive deleted) monkey could do your job!"
"Guess [Ryan Kerrigan] really does have a good motor. And is relentless. And never quits on a play. And just keeps coming. And probably eats Wheaties and drinks Apple Pie smoothies and shaves with Valvoline." -Dan Steinberg DC Sports Bog
