Former New York Yankees outfielder Tony Tarasco will be the New York Mets’ first base coach for manager Luis Rojas in 2021. Per MLB.com:
Tarasco replaces Tony DeFrancesco, whom the Mets reassigned to another position in the organization. Tarasco, 50, has spent the past five seasons as an outfield and baserunning instructor in the Padres’ organization. He’ll be the point person in those areas for the Mets as well, in addition to his duties as first-base coach.
Tarasco played for six clubs during his eight-year MLB career: the Yankees, Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos, Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds.
He played 14 games for the Yankees in 1999, hitting .161 with 3 RBI.
But Tarasco is best-known for the one play he wasn’t able to make as big leaguer. Tarasco was the right fielder for the Orioles in 1996 when Derek Jeter lofted a fly ball toward Yankee Stadium’s outfield wall in Game 1 of the 1996 American League Championship Series. That’s when 12-year-old Jeffrey Maier reached over and helped the ball into the stands. Umpires gave Jeter the home run and the Yankees went on to win the ALCS and eventually the World Series, beginning their run of four titles in five seasons.
According to Hardball Talk, Tarasco “was born in Manhattan and is one of 139 players to play for the Yankees and Mets.”
Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.