Don Mattingly has been persuaded by owner George Steinbrenner to become the New York Yankees (news)' hitting coach.last week after New York hit just .140 with runners in scoring position during its six-game loss to Florida in the World Series (news - web sites).
"It was kind of a unanimous decision," Mattingly said Tuesday.
He discussed taking the job with his wife and children and said the kids told him, "Go dad go, and do it."
Willie Randolph, who had been third-base coach for the last 10 years, becomes bench coach in place of Don Zimmer, who quit the day after the Series loss, saying he would never again work for Steinbrenner.
Lee Mazzilli, the first-base coach for the past four years, replaces Randolph as third-base coach — unless Baltimore hires Mazzilli as its manager. Luis Sojo, who played in parts of seven seasons with the Yankees from 1996 through this year, takes over from Mazzilli as first-base coach.
Rich Monteleone remains as the bullpen coach, and Gary Tuck stays as the catching instructor.
Mel Stottlemyre, who became pitching coach when Joe Torre took over as manager before the 1996 season, said after the World Series he will take several weeks before deciding whether to return.
Mattingly, known as Donnie Baseball, was the 10th Yankees captain, holding the position from 1991-95, the last captain until Steinbrenner gave Derek Jeter the title in June.
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