Mazzilli, 44, replaces Jose Cardenal, who had been the Yankees' first-base coach since 1996. Cardenal resigned reportedly
because his request for a salary increase was denied by the Yankees and last week accepted a similiar position with the Tampa
Bay Devil Rays.

Mazzilli, who begins his fourth season in the Yankees organization, guided the Double-A Norwich Navigators to the Eastern
League championship series last year. He managed at Class A Tampa of the Florida State League in 1997 and 1998.

Bench coach Don Zimmer hinted at retirement last year after experiencing chronic pain in his knees, but will return for his 52nd
season in baseball and fifth with the Yankees. Zimmer turns 69 on January 17.

Also returning are batting coach Chris Chambliss, bullpen coach Tony Cloninger, third base coach Willie Randolph and pitching
coach Mel Stottlemyre.
George Steinbrenner opposes the theory that too many chefs spoil the broth,
                          as he loves to employ various people as consultants. Randy Levine joined
                          that eclectic group of people when he quit his post as New York City's deputy mayor and
                          joined the Yankees as team president on January 5.

                          Levine, who is known best in baseball circles as the man who represented the owners in the
                          1996 labor settlement, will serve as a team liaison to Major League Baseball and oversee
                          contract negotiations with arbitration-eligible players like Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and
                          Andy Pettitte. How Levine's appointment impacts these crucial discussions remains to be
                          seen.

                          The Yankees have opted against giving long-term contracts to players before they enter free
                          agency, and they appear content with that philosophy. Pettitte can become a free agent after
                          this season; Jeter and Rivera can enter the open market following the 2001 campaign. . . .

                          Alfonso Soriano is regarded as one of the best prospects in baseball, but he's playing a
                          position -- shortstop -- in which the Yankees hope they are set for the next decade, as long
                          as they eventually sign Jeter.

                          Following the 2000 season, there could be more of an urgency to either trade Soriano or
                          change his position. For now, though, the team is content to have the 22-year-old stick at
                          shortstop and start for Class AAA Columbus. Soriano has repeatedly said that he'd prefer
                          not to switch positions. The club feels that D'Angelo Jimenez, also 22, is more prepared than
                          Soriano to deal with playing off the bench, and that's why Jimenez is the heavy favorite to
                          replace Luis Sojo as the Yankees' backup middle infielder.