GaryMrMets
02-19-2002, 01:07 AM
http://montreal.expos.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mon/news/mon_news_story.jsp?article_id=mon_20020217_minayas taff_news&team_id=mon
News
2/17/2002 4:08 pm ET
Expos' Minaya happy with new staff
JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- The Montreal Expos have yet to play the first game of what might very well be their last season, and already they may have set a record.
"We have put together a coaching staff in the shortest time ever in the history of baseball," newly appointed general manager Omar Minaya said Sunday.
Pitchers and catchers began official workouts Sunday, and the hastily assembled staff arrived just in time to be on hand to supervise practice.
Those chosen to guide the Expos along with manager Frank Robinson were Wendell Kim (bench coach), Dick Pole (pitchers), Tom McCraw (hitting), Jerry Morales (catching and bullpen) and Claude Raymond (roving coach).
"My No. 1 priority when I signed on for this job was to have this coaching staff in place for today, the first day of Spring Training," Minaya said.
Both the manager and the GM seemed pleased with their new staff.
"If we had had more time, I could not have come up with a better staff," Robinson said.
"They are experienced and diverse, and with the makeup of this club it is important that we have a diverse staff that can work with and relate to the players," he said.
Despite the uncertainty that surrounded the Expos during the offseason, Robinson made it clear the distractions don't matter now.
"This is no big deal with the players down here because this is the first day of Spring Training, and they are here to get ready for the season," he said. "From this point we are not behind the other clubs; we are in the same condition as they are."
While Robinson and his staff acknowledge they are not familiar with the Montreal players, the manager assured, "We'll know the players when we leave camp."
For now there is still tons of work ahead for the new GM and manager.
Minaya recently was handed a list of current Montreal front-office employees, and there were only six names written down. He also has to hire 29 managers and coaches for the minor league system by March 8. He currently has two under contract.
"Florida has let go a lot of people, and I feel the right thing to do is to try to incorporate as many of them as possible into this organization," Minaya said.
Copyright 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
News
2/17/2002 4:08 pm ET
Expos' Minaya happy with new staff
JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- The Montreal Expos have yet to play the first game of what might very well be their last season, and already they may have set a record.
"We have put together a coaching staff in the shortest time ever in the history of baseball," newly appointed general manager Omar Minaya said Sunday.
Pitchers and catchers began official workouts Sunday, and the hastily assembled staff arrived just in time to be on hand to supervise practice.
Those chosen to guide the Expos along with manager Frank Robinson were Wendell Kim (bench coach), Dick Pole (pitchers), Tom McCraw (hitting), Jerry Morales (catching and bullpen) and Claude Raymond (roving coach).
"My No. 1 priority when I signed on for this job was to have this coaching staff in place for today, the first day of Spring Training," Minaya said.
Both the manager and the GM seemed pleased with their new staff.
"If we had had more time, I could not have come up with a better staff," Robinson said.
"They are experienced and diverse, and with the makeup of this club it is important that we have a diverse staff that can work with and relate to the players," he said.
Despite the uncertainty that surrounded the Expos during the offseason, Robinson made it clear the distractions don't matter now.
"This is no big deal with the players down here because this is the first day of Spring Training, and they are here to get ready for the season," he said. "From this point we are not behind the other clubs; we are in the same condition as they are."
While Robinson and his staff acknowledge they are not familiar with the Montreal players, the manager assured, "We'll know the players when we leave camp."
For now there is still tons of work ahead for the new GM and manager.
Minaya recently was handed a list of current Montreal front-office employees, and there were only six names written down. He also has to hire 29 managers and coaches for the minor league system by March 8. He currently has two under contract.
"Florida has let go a lot of people, and I feel the right thing to do is to try to incorporate as many of them as possible into this organization," Minaya said.
Copyright 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.