Mets hire former Yankee hitting coach [Archive] - NFL Picks | Sports Betting Picks

GaryMrMets

11-28-2004, 04:15 PM

And here is the complete coaching staff:

Sandy Alomar Sr.--bench coach
Manny Acta--third base coach
Guy Conti--bullpen coach
Jerry Manuel--first base and outfield coach.
Pitching coach--Rick Peterson
Rick Down--hitting coach
Tom Nieto--Major League catching instructor
Ray Ramirez--head trainer
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11/23/2004 8:30 PM ET
Mets name 2005 coaching staff
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- A rookie manager, Willie Randolph isn't about to leave much to chance. So when the Mets' skipper announced on Tuesday who would be on his coaching staff in 2005, it was no surprise to find that he's surrounded himself with a great deal of experience.

Randolph reached back into his past, calling on Sandy Alomar Sr. -- a former teammate and mentor from his playing days with the Yankees -- to be his bench coach. Manny Acta, who served as third base coach in Montreal for the last three seasons under general manager Omar Minaya, will fill the same role in New York.

Guy Conti will serve as the bullpen coach and, in what can be termed a surprise move, former White Sox skipper Jerry Manuel was named first base and outfield coach. Former Met Mookie Wilson had been considered for that spot.

The only position Randolph didn't name was hitting coach, and that role is expected to be filled by Rick Down, who formerly held the job with the Yankees. Down is still under contract to the Bombers, and the Mets, though they have asked, have yet to receive permission to speak with him. Down's contract with the Yanks runs out at the end of the year, at which time he is free to sign with whomever he likes.

"We're waiting for permission," said Minaya. "Hopefully, [George] Steinbrenner will give permission. That's what we're waiting for now."

Pitching coach Rick Peterson remains the lone holdover from Art Howe's staff.

In addition, the Mets named Ray Ramirez as head trainer, taking over for Scotty Lawrenson, who was dismissed last month.

"It took a little longer than it expected, but we wanted to be patient and get everyone in the fold," said Randolph. "I know most of them personally. They are the guys I wanted, and Omar had input as well. Obviously, I would like to be aggressive [in style]. What I want to do and how I want to teach the players was part of it.

"I've known Sandy since I was a rookie in '76. He was a mentor, almost a father figure, and I expect him to wear different hats. I want to soak up knowledge from him. He taught me how to play the game, but we don't have a particular role in mind for him yet. But it is like having a Don Zimmer alongside you."

Alomar had been the Rockies' first base coach for the last two seasons, and has been in baseball for 44 years. He has managed at several minor league levels and during the Winter League season, and coached and served as an instructor with the Cubs for nearly a dozen years.

Manuel, meanwhile, managed the White Sox from 1997 to 2003, winning 500 games, and was named 2000 Manager of the Year by several news outlets. He was also a third base coach for the Expos for six seasons and was Jim Leyland's bench coach when the Marlins won the World Series in 1997.

Acta served as a translator for the Latin players in Montreal and likely will be called upon again to serve in that capacity to some degree in New York. He is currently managing the Licey Tigers in the Dominican Winter League.

Conti has served as the Mets' minor league field coordinator for four seasons. This includes overseeing the team's extended Spring Training and the Instructional League in the fall. He worked in the Dodgers' player development system for a dozen years and has also served as a minor league coach for New York.

"[The National League background] helps," said Randolph of his staff. "When we were putting the staff together, we considered that. We wanted the best baseball minds around that I can trust to go with the program we want to implement."

As for Ramirez, his hiring comes in the wake of several seasons in which the Mets were hit hard by injuries, many of which were initially misdiagnosed. Players, particularly Jose Reyes, struggled to come back from injury in a timely fashion, which led to Lawrenson's dismissal. Minaya said that the entire medical staff, including team physician Dr. Andrew Rokito, will be under review.

"It's fair to say that when you look at all the injuries, it's something that had to be evaluated," said Minaya. "I felt coming in that it was better to start fresh, based on the information I got early in the process. It wasn't only the injuries but the time guys took to come back. We needed to revamp that department. The whole medical area, as far as the Mets are concerned, is being re-evaluated."

Kevin T. Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2004/11/23/cSoLDv4l.jpg
Willie Randolph considers Sandy Alomar Sr. a mentor and father figure. (Harry How/Getty Images)
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11/26/2004 2:21 PM ET
Down, Nieto join Mets' staff
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- The Mets rounded out their coaching staff Friday afternoon, officially naming Rick Down as the hitting coach and adding Tom Nieto as the Major League catching instructor.

Down's appointment didn't come as a surprise. He has been mentioned as a candidate for hitting instructor since Willie Randolph was named manager. The delay in naming Down came because the Yankees, for whom he was working, had not given permission to speak with him.

Down spent last year as the New York Yankees' coordinator of minor league instruction. He was also the Yankees hitting coach from 2002-2003 and served the same role with the Baltimore Orioles (1995-1998), Los Angeles Dodgers (1999-2000) and Boston Red Sox (2001).

"When Willie [Randolph] and I first talked about our staff, Rick Down was one of the first names that came up," general manager Omar Minaya said. "Rick has a successful track record as a batting instructor, and we are glad to add him to the staff."

Nieto, meanwhile, managed the Palm Beach Cardinals of the Florida State League during the 2003-04 seasons, compiling a 127-145 record. He spent eight seasons with the Yankees organization (1995-2002), including serving as the Major League catching coach from 2000-2001.

"I saw firsthand Tom Nieto's knowledge and ability to instruct catchers," said Randolph. "I'm excited that he'll be part of my staff."

Nieto hit .205 (127-619) with 24 doubles, four triples, five home runs and 69 RBI in 251 Major League games while serving primarily as a backup catcher from 1984-1990 with St. Louis, Montreal, Minnesota and Philadelphia. He was a member of the 1987 World Series champion Twins and the 1985 National League champion Cardinals.

Earlier this week, Randolph named Sandy Alomar, Sr. as his bench coach, Manny Acta as his third base coach, Jerry Manuel as his outfield and first base coach and Guy Conti as his bullpen coach.

Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.