Mets make coaching addition after brutal season

The New York Mets have promoted Mariano Duncan to their coaching staff, appointing him to the newly created role of Major League coach.

Duncan, 63, will assist the team’s position players in several areas while also serving as a batting-practice pitcher. He previously worked as the bench coach for the Mets’ Double-A affiliate, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, and has spent eight years in the organization.

Duncan played 12 seasons in MLB between 1985 and 1997, recording a .257 batting average, a .300 on-base percentage and a .388 slugging percentage. He finished his playing career with 87 home runs, 491 RBIs and 174 stolen bases. He was also selected as an All-Star in 1994.

His playing career included two World Series championships. Duncan won his first title with the Cincinnati Reds in 1990 before capturing another with the New York Yankees in 1996. He played for the Yankees during the 1996 and 1997 seasons and also reached the World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1993, when they won the National League pennant.

Following his retirement, Duncan joined the Los Angeles Dodgers’ coaching staff, serving as their infield and first-base coach from 2006 through 2010. He also gained experience in the Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers’ minor league systems before joining the Mets organization. Additionally, he managed the Mumbai Cobras of Baseball United.

Duncan has worked with several players who eventually reached the Mets’ major league roster, including Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty. His experience developing prospects also includes his time as bench coach for the Brooklyn Cyclones.

The move comes as the Mets continue to revamp their coaching staff following a disappointing season. The organization is still seeking replacements for hitting coach Jeff Albert and quality assurance coach Danny Barnes. Kevin Long and John Mallee have emerged as candidates for the hitting coach position.

Duncan initially joined the major league staff temporarily after Binghamton’s season ended in September. That assignment has since become permanent, giving the Mets another experienced coach.