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Mazzilli Rejoins Yankees As Bench Coach

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."

HailSkins94 wrote:He never left the yanks...

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.