*Expos name Bill Robinson hitting coach*
---------------------------------------- 

MONTREAL (Ticker) -- Bill Robinson, who spent 16 seasons as a
player in the major leagues, on Friday was named hitting coach
of the Montreal Expos. 

It is the second major league coaching job for the 58-year-old
Robinson, who served as the hitting and first base coach for the
New York Mets from 1984-89. In 1988, the Mets led the National
League in runs scored and homers and were second with a .256
team average. 

Prior to that season, Robinson managed Caracas to the Venezuelan
League Championship and a berth in the Caribbean World Series. 

Robinson spent the last three seasons as the hitting coach for
the Class AAA Columbus Clippers in the New York Yankees'
organization.  He also spent four seasons coaching in the
Philadelphia Phillies chain. 

In 1,472 career games for the Yankees, Phillies and Pittsburgh
Pirates, Robinson batted .258 with 229 doubles, 29 triples, 166
homers and 641 RBI.  The former outfielder was part of the
Pirates' 1979 championship squad. 

st 10-19-01 17:04 et