Notes: Coaches to join All-Star staff

Good news! Jack is able to bring his whole coaching staff with him to the All-Star game!

Notes: Coaches to join All-Star staff

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- Six Marlins assistants will be joining Jack McKeon as part of the National League All-Star coaching staff.

McKeon, who will manage the National League squad at the July 13 Midsummer Classic in Houston, met with league representatives Friday to go over some All-Star procedures.

McKeon was informed his assistants also would be allowed to coach the NL squad.

Marlins bench coach Doug Davis, third base coach Jeff Cox, pitching coach Wayne Rosenthal, first base/infield coach Perry Hill, hitting coach Bill Robinson and bullpen coordinator Pierre Arsenault will be making the trip to Houston.

The only assistant not going is Tony Taylor, who wasn't on the 2003 World Series championship staff.

Arsenault is taking the slot of last year's third base coach Ozzie Guillen, who is now managing the White Sox.

"I spoke with Tony, and he's OK with it," McKeon said.

Exactly how many Marlins are selected to the team is unclear. In years past, the manager had more say in picking the reserves. But now players and coaches in the league have a voice, and a player will be voted in by an Internet vote conducted on MLB.com.

Probable Marlins to either make the team or receive consideration are Mike Lowell, Armando Benitez, Brad Penny and Juan Pierre. They are having the best first halves so far.

For the second season, the winning league in the All-Star Game will have home-field advantage in the World Series. Despite being the visitors in 2003, the Marlins beat the Yankees in six games.

The National League has not won the All-Star Game since 1996, having lost six of the last seven with one tie.

Informed of the NL's drought, the ever-confident McKeon predicted: "We'll break it."