Stottlemyre trio making their marks in baseball

Tim Graham

Monday, Jan. 12, 1998 | 5:45 a.m.

To complete the transition from the mound to the bench, he must do what his father did before him: bottle the fire that makes a Stottlemyre a Stottlemyre.

Mel Stottlemyre Jr. became UNLV's third pitching coach in as many seasons last August. It's the first time the former Rebel and major-league pitcher has been a part of a coaching staff.

But he will not have to look far for guidance in how to deal with his new role. His father, Mel Stottlemyre Sr., is considered one of the elite pitching coaches in baseball, winning World Series with the New York Mets in 1986 and the New York Yankees in 1996.

Both were at Wilson Stadium on Sunday afternoon to raise money for the UNLV baseball program. Current and former major leaguers -- including Mel Jr.'s little brother, Todd Stottlemyre (who pitches for the St. Louis Cardinals), Matt Williams, Dave Henderson and Billy Hatcher -- took part in a home-run hitting contest and an exhibition game against other former Rebels.

Mel Jr. joked with the players as they warmed up beforehand. But the competitive flame the Stottlemyres are known for was burning him inside-out.

"The only frustrating thing is on days like this when guys get to come out and swing and throw. It makes me miss the game," Mel Jr. said. "And I know every year when dad and Todd take off for spring training, I miss it.

"It's been a tough transition in that way, but I'm excited to be able to pass along all the experiences that I've gotten, especially spending all my years around the man I consider the best pitching coach in baseball."

Mel Jr. compiled a 19-8 record with a 4.71 ERA at UNLV in 1983 and '84. He was drafted by the Houston Astros and eventually made his big-league debut with the Kansas City Royals in 1990. He pitched two games that year and never returned to the top. His injury-ravaged career ended with the Mets' organization in 1992.

Following his father's lead, Mel Jr. didn't immediately jump between the chalk lines after retiring.

"He did the same thing that I'd done," said Mel Sr., who had two 20-win seasons and a career 2.97 ERA with the Yankees from 1964-74. "He stayed out a few years after he was done playing and thought a little bit about 'If I get back in baseball, what capacity would I get back in?'"

Mel Jr. took over the Stottlemyre Instructional Baseball School in Yakima, Wash., which his father founded 15 years ago. Teaching youngsters aided the transformation.

"The biggest problem is to realize you're not going to be able to compete anymore," said Mel Sr., who confessed he already has asked his son for professional advice on more than one occasion. "As a coach you compete in a different way. There's a transition there. That's why very few players go into coaching immediately because they have that yearning to compete and you gotta be satisfied those competition days are over as a player.

"In coaching, you look for ways to be satisfied beyond yourself. You look for ways for young people to improve and ways to help them."

Mel Jr. claimed his ability to teach is derived from the many injuries he suffered. Five shoulder and four knee operations forced him to concentrate on the subtleties most pitchers take for granted.

"I was hurt all the time and I had to learn the game from within the stands or the rehab table where I spent the majority of my career," he said. "After my last (rotator cuff) surgery I had to learn how to throw a baseball all over again. It was something I'd done naturally all my life. It made me a better teacher."

Mel Jr.'s only instructional concern is motivating his pitchers to approach the game like he and his brother automatically did.

"The kids are different nowadays," he said. "Being from our family is a real competitive and hate-to-lose environment. It's tough to teach those types of instincts in a kid. They're different. I sometimes have to step back. It's hard for me to ask these kids to go about it the way I went about it, and that's 110 percent."

Considering Mel Jr.'s bloodlines, big-league experience and desire to coach, offers were plentiful. His father recommended him for a job in the Yankees' chain. He also received inquiries from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers and Royals organizations.

He chose UNLV.

"The timing was always wrong," said Mel Jr., who has been married for 11 years and has a 6-year-old daughter. "I'm a family man. I just wasn't ready to get on the road and start back all over again.

"I'm thrilled to be at this level. I have a good home here. Plus I played here, and Todd played here, and all the things (former UNLV head coach) Freddy (Dallimore) taught us ... I can take those things and pass it along to these young kids.

"I think I have a fairly decent name in this town. I'm excited about the whole thing. This isn't a short-term deal."