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PopTop
11-11-2003, 05:34 PM
Excellent move by Torre to get Roy White back in the Bronx! :clap2:



Tom Singer / MLB.com (http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/nyy/news/nyy_news.jsp?ymd=20031111&content_id=602049&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nya)

White on first, Sojo to third
Torre happy to have another former Yankee on staff

NEW YORK -- Roy White's 38-year, on-and-off career with the Yankees is on again.

White, one of the most versatile hitters and instructors in recent team history, was named first base coach on Tuesday in one of two moves triggered by Lee Mazzilli's recent appointment as Baltimore manager.

Luis Sojo, who had been set to join manager Joe Torre's staff as the first base coach in 2004, was moved to third base to replace Mazzilli, with White inheriting the first-base box.

Torre, happy for Mazzilli for getting the opportunity that had left his own staff with a vacancy, was just as elated to add White.

"Roy was very helpful during his tenure as a Spring Training special instructor," Torre said, "and obviously knows the Yankee way.

"He's a tireless worker who is a credit to the uniform and I look forward to reuniting with him."

This will mark White's third turn as a Yankees coach, following stints as the first base coach in 1984 and 1986. White also served as Billy Martin's bench coach in 1983.

He has also contributed through the years as a special assignment and outfield instructor, but had been out of the organization since 1999.

White spent the last five seasons as batting coach for Oakland's Triple-A affiliate.

"Roy White is a classy guy and was an extremely talented player," said Yankee principal owner George Steinbrenner. "A great left fielder, intelligent base runner and skilled hitter, Roy always conducted himself as a real Yankee.

"It's great to have all of his experience back in pinstripes. His addition to the club will mean a great deal to New Yorkers as we continue to build a winning team for this coming season."

White's 15-year Yankees playing career still is prominent in team history. He ranks in the club's all-time top ten in three offensive categories (hits, stolen bases and games). A two-time All-Star, White played in three consecutive World Series with the Bombers, 1976-78.

His appointment once again leaves Torre's staff with only one uncertainty: Mel Stottlemyre and the pitching coach position.

Stottlemyre has pondered whether he wants to return for 2 1/2 weeks, since the end of the World Series. He has promised both Torre and general manager Brian Cashman a decision by the end of this week.

Yankee 21
11-11-2003, 06:33 PM
Very good move!!!! I approve!:D
I read a disturbing article yesterday that Cashman said he doubts they'll deal Nightmare..WTF is wrong with these guys?????

milky_way
11-11-2003, 06:50 PM
Why trade him now unless he's part of a bigger deal? It's no use to just trade him for the sheer purpose of trading him, since his trade value is non-existant and they may keep him in the minors for a while (thereby ensuring that he can't hurt the team) until he shows something. No use to trade him now and pay for him pitching for another team unless he's part of a bigger trade.

As for Roy White, I'm surprised they moved Sojo to third and are keeping White at first. I'd think Sojo would be kept at first since he has much less experience, no? :umm

PopTop
11-11-2003, 08:01 PM
I see where you're going with that idea, Milky ... And to tell you the truth I haven't really thought that much about "base-coaching experience" ... I'm trying to think and type at the same time, something that may not come out right in the end :D But just off the top of my head, I'm thinking Torre wouldn't put Sojo at either infield corner unless he had confidence in him to begin with ... Secondly, and this is just me thinking out loud, perhaps you need more experience at 1B since that coach is going to possibly need to be more adept at watching a pitcher's move to first base :notme:

Also, sort of back to Torre having confidence in Sojo, my mind tells me that Sojo has spent the bulk of his career on the bench or in a backup role, no offense or slighting intended towards Sojo with that remark ... But we've seen this before many times, the players who did spend time on the bench (especially backup catchers like Pujols and Bochy) probably pick up a lot of pointers about coaching and defense if they sit and listen to what the other coaches are saying ... Just some thoughts why Sojo's lack of base-coaching experience might be a moot point here.