Mets hire former A's manager Bob Geren as bench coach
By Aaron GleemanOct 14, 2011, 11:47 AM EDT
After interviewing several potential candidates, including former Nationals manager Jim Riggleman, the Mets have settled on former A's manager Bob Geren as their new bench coach, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com.
Geren was fired by Oakland in June after compiling a 334-376 (.470) record in four-plus seasons, but has previous ties to the various former A's staffers currently in the Mets' front office.
Riggleman was minor-league teammates with Mets manager Terry Collins during their time as players in the Dodgers' farm system, but apparently that wasn't enough to land him the job after abruptly quitting the Nationals in June due to a contract dispute with general manager Mike Rizzo.
This year's Mets bench coach, Ken Oberkfell, was let go as part of a coaching staff shakeup earlier this month.