MLB

Mets great Howard Johnson named Mariners hitting coach

SEATTLE — New Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon is bringing in an entirely new coaching staff for his first season in charge of the ballclub.

McClendon announced his coaching staff Monday.

Even though there are no coaches returning from former manager Eric Wedge’s staff, a number of McClendon’s hires have ties to the Mariners organization.

Howard Johnson will take over as Seattle’s hitting coach, after serving in that role for the organization at Triple-A Tacoma last season. The former Mets third baseman was previously the hitting coach in Queens under Jerry Manuel.

Rick Waits will move from minor league pitching coordinator to Seattle’s pitching coach, while John Stearns will be the third-base coach and Chris Woodward will be the infield coach.

McClendon is bringing in Andy Van Slyke (first-base coach) and Mike Rojas (bullpen coach) from outside the organization.

McClendon previously announced that Trent Jewett will serve as his bench coach.