11/04/2003 12:11 AM ET Donnie Baseball Back In Pinstripes

By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- The Yankees hung No. 23 in Monument Park six years ago. Tuesday, they put it back into play, as Don Mattingly was named the team's new hitting coach.

Mattingly's return to "the family" highlighted a 1 o'clock media conference at Yankee Stadium at which the rest of Joe Torre's 2004 coaching staff was also unveiled.

"This is a very, very special day for New York and for the Yankees as we welcome back Don Mattingly," club president Randy Levine said. "He belongs here."

"I thank everyone in the organization for making me feel like they wanted me back," Mattingly said. "It's a wonderful opportunity."

Mattingly, a six-time All-Star and a one-time Yankees captain, decided to leave his farm in Indiana to come back to the only organization he has ever been a part of. Mattingly will replace Rick Down, becoming the fourth hitting coach in five years under Torre.

"I couldn't be happier with these appointments," said Yankees Principal Owner George M. Steinbrenner, who pushed hard to bring Mattingly onto the coaching staff. "It will be a very talented, hard-working staff for Joe Torre. And having Don Mattingly back in pinstripes is a real boost for our organization."

Steinbrenner was not present at the press conference, attended by general manager Brian Cashman, assistant GM Jean Afterman, Torre, most of his revised staff, and team captain Derek Jeter.

With Torre himself doing the honors, Willie Randolph was introduced as the new bench coach, replacing Don Zimmer, with Lee Mazzilli's taking over as the third base coach.

Luis Sojo, who served last season as a special instructor, returns to uniform as the first base coach.

Mel Stottlemyre's return as the pitching coach remains a strong possibility.

"He's still contemplating coming back. He sounds upbeat," reported Torre, who expects to get Stottlemyre's final decision within 10 days.

Bullpen coach Rich Monteleone and catching instructor Gary Tuck will return to Torre's staff.

But the occasion's headliner was Mattingly, who once again put on his No. 23 jersey to pose with Torre and the remainder of the new staff. "This is the first phase of our winter program," Cashman said.

"I couldn't be happier," Torre said. "As a special instructor for us during Spring Training, he let me know how much I'd like to have him as a full-time coach.

"He's so caring," Torre added of Mattingly. "He knows what he's talking about, and he relates to players very well."

Mattingly, 42, has turned down the hitting coach job before, choosing to stay at home with his three sons. His oldest son, Taylor, was drafted by the Yankees this season and played with the rookie-league Gulf Coast Yankees in Tampa, batting .224 in 24 games.

Mattingly retired after the 1995 season, having battled chronic back problems for several years. Mattingly ranks among the club's all-time leaders in hits (5th, 2,153), doubles (2nd, 442), runs (9th, 1,007), home runs (8th, 222) and RBIs (8th, 1,099). Mattingly's .307 career average ranks 10th all time among Yankees with 500 or more games played. He also won nine Gold Gloves at first base.