Baylor’s Successful Season Results In Contract Extension

Don Baylor, N.L. manager of the year after leading his expansion team into the playoffs in its third season, agreed Saturday to a two-year contract extension, through the 1998 season, with the Colorado Rockies.

Terms were not disclosed, but sources said Baylor, who will earn $320,000 this season, will be paid $475,000 in 1997 and $500,000 in 1998.

For the first time, Baylor won’t enter the spring with uncertainty about his tenure. In the past, he has gone to spring training with one year remaining on his contract, then has had it extended by one year before the start of the season.

Baylor, who had no previous managerial experience when he was hired in October 1992, has compiled a 197-226 record (.466). His 1995 team went 77-67, leading the N.L. West for 109 of the 144 playing dates, and clinched a wild-card playoff berth on the final day of the season. It was five years faster than any previous expansion team had made the playoffs.

Looking for defensive improvement in the spacious outfield of Coors Field, Baylor said he will experiment with some position changes during spring training.

Left fielder Dante Bichette, center fielder Ellis Burks and right fielder Larry Walker will swap positions, with Bichette returning to his more familiar position in right field, Burks moving to left and Walker to center.

Baylor also announced his coaching staff for 1996: Jackie Moore as bench coach, Ken Griffey Sr. as first-base coach and hitting coach, Gene Glynn as third-base coach, Frank Funk as pitching coach and Paul Zuvella as bullpen coach. Glynn is the only holdover from last year’s staff.