Yanks move on from Pentland
Hitting coach won’t return after 1 year
TORONTO — When the Yankees assemble in Tampa for spring training, they will have their third hitting coach in three years.
“I am not coming back,’’ Jeff Pentland told The Post Sunday from Arizona. “When I signed, I was told it was probably a oneyear deal. That was always in the back of my mind, but we didn’t look too good the last month. It’s the Yankees, that’s the best way to describe it. I have no regrets.’’
Pentland, 69, was told by general manager Brian Cashman he wasn’t returning last week. Also not coming back is bullpen coach/ catching instructor Gary Tuck.
Pentland said he understood the challenge facing him at the start because of who he was replacing.
“I remember going to spring training, and I felt if Kevin [Long] couldn’t do it, I knew it wasn’t an easy job,’’ Pentland said of the longtime Yankees hitting coach who was f ired with a year to go on a contract at the end of the 2014 season because the Yankees didn’t hit. Long later joined the Mets.
After letting Long go last October, the Yankees interviewed Chili Davis and Dave Magadan. Davis left Oakland for the Red Sox and Magadan remained with the Rangers. Magadan lost his job in Texas, but he won’t be a candidate for the latest Yankees opening.
Alan Cockrell, who was Pentland’s assistant, is likely in the mix. And Raul Ibanez, whose name surfaced last year even though he finished playing just weeks before, could be a candidate. Then there are minor league coaches James Rowsen and Marcus Thames.
“I thought Alan did an excellent job,’’ Pentland said. “It was a good pairing.’’
Pentland, who has been a hitting coach with the Marlins, Cubs, Royals, Mariners and Dodgers, said he isn’t done working with hitters.
“I told my wife I am not retired,’’ Pentland said. “I don’t know if anyone will be interested in me, but I have a wealth of knowledge.’’
Pentland enjoyed working with Alex Rodriguez and Carlos Beltran and had high praise for Cashman.
“Cash was great, I respect Cash a lot,’’ Pentland said.
As for Tuck’s replacement, former Yankees bullpen coach Mike Harkey recently was let go as the Diamondbacks’ pitching coach. He was with the Yankees from 200813.