OK, but who's on first?
The Mets just announced that Razor Shines will replace Luis Aguayo as the third-base coach and Randy Niemann takes over for Guy Conti in the bullpen (bye Pedro). Otherwise, Dan Warthen returns as pitching coach, Howard Johnson holds on as hitting coach and Sandy Alomar is back as bench coach.
The Mets have yet to pick a first-base coach.
Click below for the full rundown -- and all you need to know about Razor Shines.
NEW YORK METS ANNOUNCE 2009 COACHING STAFF
FLUSHING, N.Y., October 23, 2008 – New York Mets Manager Jerry Manuel today announced that Howard Johnson, Dan Warthen, Sandy Alomar, Sr., and Sandy Alomar, Jr. will return to the Mets coaching staff in 2009 and will be joined by Randy Niemann and Razor Shines.
Niemann, who was the Mets Minor League Rehabilitation Coordinator for the last two seasons, will serve in his third stint as the team’s bullpen coach. Shines, who managed the Philadelphia Phillies’ Clearwater affiliate in the Florida State League to a 64-76 mark last year, will become the Mets third base coach.
Guy Conti, the club’s bullpen coach for the past four years, third base coach Luis Aguayo and first base coach Ken Oberkfell will be reassigned within the organization. The first base coaching position is yet to be filled.
Johnson will enter his third season as the club’s hitting coach, Warthen returns for his first full season as the pitching coach, Alomar, Sr. is back for his 49th season in professional baseball, fifth year on New York’s staff and his third year as the bench coach while Alomar, Jr. is back for his second season as the Mets catching instructor.
Niemann will begin his 22nd year in the Mets organization. He served as New York’s bullpen coach on two separate occasions, from 2000-2002 and from 1997-June 6, 1999. Niemann has served as the pitching coach for various Mets minor league teams, including Norfolk (AAA) of the International League, Binghamton (AA) of the Eastern League, St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League and Kingsport (R) of Appalachian League. Niemann was a member of the 1986 World Series championship team, going 2-3 with a 3.79 ERA in 31 games.
Prior to 2008, Shines spent the previous eight seasons with the Chicago White Sox organization. He was Chicago’s third base coach in 2007. Razor managed Charlotte (AAA) of the International League to a 79-62 record in 2006. In 2006-2007, he also served as a member of the All-Star Futures Game World Team coaching staff. Razor managed Birmingham (AA) of the Southern League to consecutive postseason appearances in 2004 and 2005. Shines managed Winston-Salem (A) of the Carolina League in 2002 and 2003, Kannapolis (A) of the South Atlantic League in 2001 and Charleston (A) of the South Atlantic League in 1995. He appeared in 68 games with the Montreal Expos from 1983-1987, batting .185 with five RBI.
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Comments (9)
David...do you know why Ken Oberkfell wasn't retained for 1st base coach? I remember reading he was a good motivator and should help the club play with more fire...
HoJo's back?
Really?
David,
I think the Mets should have let HoJo go. The Mets situational hitting was awful this season, and that should fall directly on the hitting coach. Remember David Wright's infamous strikeout after Murphy on 3rd? Did anyone notice Wright trying to pull every pitch, including the strike 3 pitch that was 4 feet outside?
Jae -- I think Ken Oberkfell is headed back to manage the Triple-A team in Buffalo.
People really need to get past the ugly at bats and focus on what to do for next year, enough said.
I don't know how good a coach he will be, but Razor Shines has one of the all-time best names in the history of baseball.
My choice for 1st base coach is Wally Backman. You gotta love his fire and watching that show on SNY "Playing for Peanuts", he has great knowledge of the game and for teaching the younger players.
Wally Backman should have been the new manager for the NY Mets!!!! Here's a guy that deserves a second chance that didn't even get his first chance
The coaching decisions are bizarre....where's FO...?
I want the Wilpons to sell the team...
Good luck, Jamie. The Hawk will Never Die !