Ex-Yankees coach, ace Stottlemyre dead at 77

Mel Stottlemyre, the former ace who later won five World Series rings as the longtime pitching coach for both the New York Yankees and Mets, has died. He was 77. Stottlemyre was the father of Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Todd, as well as former Kansas City Royal Mel Jr. The Yankees said Stottlemyre died Sunday. He had been living in the Seattle area and had multiple myeloma for nearly 20 years. A five-time all-star and three-time 20-game winner, Stottlemyre went 164-139 with a 2.97 ERA over 11 seasons. He is the last pitcher to hit an inside-the-park grand slam. Stottlemyre oversaw the Mets staff that won the 1986 title and earned four rings as Yankees manager Joe Torre’s pitching coach during a decade in the Bronx.