Mets officially name Geren bench coach

Here's the release from the Mets:

FLUSHING, N.Y., October 14, 2011 – The New York Mets today announced the club named former major league manager Bob Geren bench coach.

Geren, 50, spent the last four-plus seasons as manager of the Oakland Athletics and was a member of the A’s major league coaching staff from 2003-2006, a stretch that included two American League West Division titles (2003, 2006) and one appearance in the AL Championship Series (2006). He spent his first three seasons with the A’s as the bullpen coach before serving as Ken Macha’s bench coach in 2006. He took over as manager on November 17, 2006.

“Bob Geren’s experience as a former manager and bench coach will be a great fit for us,” said Mets Manager Terry Collins. “Adding a former major league catcher like Bob to our staff will be ideal.”

Geren, a native of San Diego, CA, joined Oakland’s organization in 1999 as manager of Modesto (A) of the California League. He spent the next three seasons leading Sacramento (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League. Geren also managed in Boston’s organization for three seasons, guiding Utica (A) of the New York-Penn League in 1995, the GCL Red Sox (R) of the Gulf Coast League in 1996 and Sarasota (A) of the Florida State League in 1998. His seven-year managerial record in the minor leagues is 452-390.

A former catcher, Geren played five major league seasons with the New York Yankees and San Diego. Originally selected in the first round by the Padres in 1979, Geren was traded to St. Louis before making his major league debut with the Yankees in 1988. In 307 career games, Geren hit .233 (178-765).