NEW YORK, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- The New York Mets announced their coaching staff Tuesday, naming Denny Walling hitting coach and Don Baylor bench coach.
Walling was a teammate of manager Art Howe with the Houston Astros from 1977-83. He also played under Howe in Houston in 1992 and served under him as the hitting coach of the Oakland Athletics from 1996-98. Walling spent the last four years as a coach in the Baltimore Orioles' minor leagues system.
Baylor was fired as manager of the Chicago Cubs on July 4 after posting a 187-220 record. He also served as manager of the Colorado Rockies from the team's inaugural 1993 season through the 1998 campaign.
Vern Ruhle was named pitching coach after serving in that role with the Philadelphia Phillies for the last two seasons. Philadelphia's 4.15 ERA last season was the team's lowest since 1994.
Gary Pettis was named first base coach and also will handle baserunning and the outfield. Pettis, a speedy, light-hitting outfielder who won five Gold Glove Awards in his playing career, had the same responsibilities with the Chicago White Sox in 2001-02.
Rick Waits moves up to become the pitching coach after working in the minor league system the last seven seasons. He was the pitching coach at Class AAA Norfolk last season.
Matt Galante is the only returning member of former manager Bobby Valentine's staff and again will be the third base and infield coach.
Valentine, who led the Mets to the World Series in 2000, was fired after a disappionting 75-86 record and last-place finish in the National League East.
The Mets gave Howe a four-year, $9.4 million contract after Lou Piniella left Seattle to become manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Howe had one year left on his contract with the A's, whom he led to three straight postseason appearances.
