Mazzilli Interviews For Tampa Bay Opening

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) New York Yankees first base coach Lee Mazzilli was interviewed Friday by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, seeking a replacement for fired manager Hal MacRae.

It was the first time Mazzilli, who has been on manager Joe Torre's staff the past three seasons, has interviewed to become a major league manager. He's the third candidate to be interviewed by the Devil Rays.

Mazzilli met with general manager Chuck LaMar, who has previously talked with Tampa Bay coaches Billy Hatcher and Tom Foley.

"I'm very excited about the interview," Mazzilli said. "It went great. We'll see what happens."

Willie Randolph, who has spent nine years coaching with the Yankees, is scheduled to be interviewed Monday. He has been a frequent candidate for managerial openings the past few years and was interviewed this month by Detroit, the New York Mets and Milwaukee.

"If it's not me, I'm pulling for Willie," Mazzilli said. "It's not awkward. It's just the nature of the business."

Oakland coach Ken Macha and Bill Evers, manager of the Devil Rays' Triple-A Durham team, are scheduled to be interviewed next week. LaMar could eventually interview 10 or more candidates before reaching a final decision.

Mazzilli has experience working with young players as a minor league manager, which could be important because the Devil Rays are planning to go with a youth movement. He also has been part of World Series championship teams as both a player and coach.

Mazzilli managed three years in the Yankees' minor league system before joining the major league team. His teams made the playoffs twice.

He spent two years managing Class-A Tampa, where Yankees owner George Steinbrenner lives and often watched games.

Managing in Steinbrenner's hometown and working in New York has helped Mazzilli learn about handling managerial-style pressure.

There's no question, absolutely," Mazzilli said. "It helps you understand pressure."