Six-time major-league all-star Don Mattingly has apparently been persuaded by New York Yankees majority owner George Steinbrenner to become the team's hitting coach.
The former first baseman, who captained the Yankees from 1991 until his retirement four years later, takes over from Rick Down.
An official announcement wasn't made, but an official with knowledge of the team's decision disclosed the hiring.
Don Mattingly is the new hitting coach of New York Yankees.(AP Photo)
Down was fired last week after New York hit a disappointing .140 with runners in scoring position during its six-game loss to Florida in the World Series.
Mattingly threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 6 on Oct. 15. At that time, he wasn't sure whether he wanted to return to a full-time role with the team.
During a 13-year MLB career, Mattingly hit .307. He belted 222 home runs and knocked in 1,099 runs.
The nine-time Gold Glove winner won the 1984 American League batting title and was voted the league's most valuable player the following year.
His No. 23 was retired by the Yankees in 1997.
In other moves, Willie Randolph was named bench coach. Don Zimmer quit the day after the Series loss, saying he would never again work for Steinbrenner.
Replacing Randolph as third-base coach is former major-leaguer Lee Mazzilli. Mazzilli spent the last four years as first-base coach.
Luis Sojo, who played in parts of seven seasons with the Yankees from 1996 to this past season, takes over at first.
Rich Monteleone remains as the bullpen coach and Gary Tuck stays on as the catching instructor.
The Yankees have yet to hear from Mel Stottlemyre, who became pitching coach when Joe Torre took over as manager before the 1996 season. He mentioned following the World Series that he would take a break before deciding whether to return.
with files from Associated Press
