The Lexington Legends of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) announced today that they have come to terms with two-time World Series champion coach Dave Eiland, who served as the Mets pitching coach from 2017-19.
Last season, Eiland, 54. was a manager in the Constellation Energy League–a four-team professional baseball league that played its games at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eiland’s tutelage helped lead the Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees to World Series Crowns in 2015 and 2009, respectively.
Legends CEO Andy Shea is thrilled to welcome Eiland to Lexington and believes his pitching knowledge and championship history will help guide the team’s pitching staff to victory.
“We are very excited to have Dave join the Legends and our community,” Shea said in a press release. “Dave’s track record, World Series Championships, and his skillset are world-class. He is the perfect pitching coach for our inaugural Atlantic League season.”
After his playing career ended, Eiland joined the Yankees as a minor league pitching coach working with the Baby Bombers in Staten Island (A), Trenton (AA), and eventually Scranton/Wilkes Barre (AAA).
In 2008, Eiland joined the Yankees coaching staff in the Bronx, and in the next season, he helped lead the Yankees to their 27th World Series victory.
New York selected Eiland in the seventh-round of the 1987 MLB draft out of the University of South Florida. He made his MLB debut in August of 1988 and spent parts of 12 seasons in the big leagues with the Yankees, San Diego Padres, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
— Jerry Del Priore
(Photo: Lexington Legends).
