Mariners
Molitor new M's hitting coach

By Bob Sherwin
Seattle Times staff reporter

	Paul Molitor
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The Mariners will have a member of the 3,000-hit club in uniform next season.

Paul Molitor, 47, was hired yesterday as the team's hitting instructor, replacing Lamar Johnson, who was released after one season. Molitor collected 3,319 hits and had a .306 lifetime average in his 21-year career that ended in 1998.

Molitor said that his hitting reputation, which could earn him a spot in the Hall of Fame next summer, may open doors to the players. "But I have to earn their respect on a continual basis," he said.

Molitor, a roving minor-league instructor with the Minnesota Twins last season, wouldn't talk in depth about Mariners hitters, but has admired many of them from the other dugout.

"There are a lot of talented offensive players," he said. "They have struggled offensively in the latter stages of the season, putting extra pressure on them to find a way to win. But they still won a lot of games.

"I'm aware of Ichiro and (Bret) Boone. (Randy) Winn had a solid year. I played with (John) Olerud. (Mike) Cameron has a lot of potential not only to hit with power but for average. And Edgar (Martinez) is one of the few guys I would stay in the dugout to watch because he's a guy I could learn from."

Both Molitor and Mariners manager Bob Melvin, who were on a conference call with reporters last night, each hinted that Martinez would return for another season.

When Molitor was asked if he will try to convince Martinez not to retire, he said he would let others do that. Molitor added, "I've heard things were heading in a positive direction."

Boone and Martinez were in the Mariners' clubhouse working out when Molitor was interviewed in Seattle last week. Melvin relayed Martinez's reaction after learning Molitor was a candidate: "What are you waiting for?"

One of Molitor's most important tasks will be trying to turn around Jeff Cirillo's performance at the plate. The third baseman batted .205 last season and .249 the previous year after being acquired from the Colorado Rockies. He played just one game the final month of 2003.

"It's been a difficult transition. I'm not sure exactly what has taken place. He certainly has been successful in other places," Molitor said. "I'm going to be as positive as I can. We'll try to visualize how things were and try to get him back to those levels."

Molitor said general manager Pat Gillick, who is stepping down to a consulting role with the team, was "very significant" in his decision to come to Seattle. Gillick was the GM in Toronto when Molitor played there (1993-95). Molitor was the 1993 World Series MVP. The two have great mutual respect.

Melvin said three other candidates interviewed for the job. "But you had the impression that this was not the only job he could do," he said of Molitor. "He was a bench coach, he could coach third with his knowledge of the game and he knows how to hit. Not to put any of the others down, but he has a wider grasp of the game."

Molitor played with Milwaukee (1978-92), Toronto (1993-95) and Minnesota (1996-98). He ranks eighth in career major-league hits.

Notes

• Catcher Pat Borders became the latest Mariners player to file for free agency. The 1992 World Series MVP for the Blue Jays had been a backup catcher the past couple years.

He joins six other Mariners who have declared — right-handed pitcher Shigetoshi Hasegawa, RHP Armando Benitez, LHP Arthur Rhodes, outfielder Mike Cameron, infielder Mark McLemore and shortstop Rey Sanchez.

• A Japanese newspaper reported yesterday that Hasegawa and Dodgers pitcher Hideo Nomo have indicated they would like to play for the New York Yankees next season.

Bob Sherwin: 206-464-8286 or bsherwin@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company