La Russa, McClendon named All-Star coaches

New York — St. Louis manager Tony La Russa and Pittsburgh manager Lloyd McClendon have been picked by Dusty Baker to be part of his staff as NL coaches for the All-Star game.

Baker will guide the NL team, having earned the honor by winning the pennant last year with San Francisco. Baker moved to the Chicago Cubs in the offseason.

The game will be played July 15 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.

La Russa managed the AL All-Star team in 1989, 1990 and 1991 and served as a coach in 1984 and 1987. He formerly managed the Chicago White Sox.

McClendon will be appearing in his first All-Star Game. He is from Gary, Ind.

Baker will also bring his Cubs coaching staff, which includes hitting coach Gary Matthews, first-base coach Gene Clines, third-base coach Wendell Kim, bench coach Dick Pole, pitching coach Larry Rothschild, special assistant Sonny Jackson and bullpen catcher Benny Cadahia.

Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia will lead the AL team. Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire and White Sox manager Jerry Manuel will be AL coaches.

Yankees’ Williams set to hit off tee

Tampa, Fla. — New York Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams might start hitting off a tee today as he continues his rehabilitation following knee surgery. Williams underwent surgery May 27 to repair torn cartilage in his left knee. He could rejoin the Yankees by the All-Star break.

“Steady progress,” Williams said Thursday. “That’s what we’re all about.”

Williams has already started a throwing program and is running in a pool as part of an extensive strengthening program.

“The next week, it will pretty much be the same,” Williams said.

Williams is a five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner and got off to a great start this season, batting .384 with six homers and 23 RBIs in the first 22 games. But he hit only one homer and drove in eight runs after that and was hitless in his last 21 at-bats before going on the disabled list.