Since this is my "Denny Walling" post, I decided to give some recent news on the RBI superstar. Here goes: From Sporting News.com November 1, 2002
METS TO INTERVIEW WALLING
The New York Mets received permission from the Orioles to interview Denny Walling for their hitting coach position under new manager Art Howe. Walling served as the Orioles' minor-league hitting instructor last year.
Just the thought of Denny Walling bores me, so this is the best info I could get.
If anyone else has any Walling gems, please post them.
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Google News Baby!
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November 5, 2002 -- Denny Walling is in position to become the next Mets hitting coach, The Post has learned.
Walling, a former teammate and longtime friend of new Mets manager Art Howe, could be announced sometime in the near future, possibly when Howe returns from Major League Baseball's All-Star tour of Japan. Howe has told friends he's bringing aboard Walling, whose entrance will show current hitting coach Chris Chambliss the door.
Incidentally, Chambliss was the first man interviewed for the managerial vacancy. He told friends the Mets recently informed him "they were going in a different direction" and thanked him for his work.
According to a source, Chambliss did sign a two-year contract, so it appears owner Fred Wilpon is stuck with paying another person for not working next year. Fired manager Bobby Valentine is due $2.7 million in 2003.
Walling is a 48-year-old native of Neptune, N.J. who played in the majors from 1975-92. He enjoyed an 18-year career as a lefty-hitting outfielder and corner infielder. He was a prolific pinch-hitter with a career .271 average and 49 homers in stints with the A's, Astros, Cardinals and Rangers.
He once described Howe as "one of my best friends in baseball, or outside."
Walling was an A's hitting coach from 1996-1998 and served as the Orioles minor-league instructor last season. The Mets requested and received permission from the Orioles to speak with Walling last week.