Coaching Staff Sports New Lineup : Changes: Only one coach returns for the 1991 baseball season.

SAN DIEGO —  If you thought the names and faces changed on the field, just take a look at the coaching staff. The only coach who was around a year ago was Rob Picciolo, and he didn’t join the team until the All-Star break.

Slowly, diligently, the Padres selected a staff they believe is one of the finest in the game. Some were recommended by Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager. Others were chosen strictly by Manager Greg Riddoch.

Just like the team, it’s a mixture of youth and veterans, those who were stars and others who were bit players.

Here’s a rundown:

BENCH COACH

* Jim Snyder, 58.

When McIlvaine sat down with Riddoch at the end of the season, he asked Riddoch who would be his first choice if he could choose any coach he wanted to join him. It was easy. Jim Snyder.

This was Riddoch’s manager in the minor leagues and, even though they soon went their separate ways, they stayed close. Riddoch stayed in the Reds’ organization, while Snyder worked in the Philadelphia system for six years, the Chicago Cubs system for another six, the Seattle Mariners for a season and the Chicago White Sox organization for the past two years.

Snyder replaced Dick Williams when he was fired by the Mariners in 1988, but went 45-60 in his four-month stay. He too was dismissed at the season’s conclusion.

“He’s as good a baseball man as I’ve ever seen,” Riddoch said.

Major league playing experience: 41 games.

Major league coaching experience: two years, including a half-season as manager.

PITCHING COACH

* Mike Roarke, 60.

This one was McIlvaine’s call. He telephoned Roarke soon after he was fired at the end of the season by the St. Louis Cardinals. He easily was the best choice available and McIlvaine believes he might be the best pitching coach in the National League.

He worked wonders with pitchers in St. Louis, particularly the left-handers. When he was fired, there actually was a revolt by Joe Magrane and several of the Cardinal pitchers. In the words of Dan Quisenberry, “He’s the best pitching coach I ever played for.”

Roarke was as responsible as anyone for Padre pitcher Bruce Hurst’s development at the Red Sox’s triple-A club in Pawtucket, R.I. It was Roarke who broke down Hurst’s mechanics while pitching in the minors and helped him become one of the top lefties. Certainly, Hurst has not forgotten and didn’t hide his elation when Roarke joined the team.

“What a great wealth of knowledge,” Riddoch said. “This was Whitey Herzog’s right-hand man. You think I’m not going to listen? Hey, he brings instant credibility to this staff.”

Major league playing experience: 194 games.

Major league coaching experience: 16 years.

BATTING COACH

* Merv Rettenmund, 47.

Yes, he’s the man you’ve been hearing about all spring. He’s the coach about whom hitters have raved since the moment they began working with him. He’s the one who has helped develop Jerald Clark into the talk of camp.

Rettenmund, who spent the past five years with the Oakland Athletics, comes in with a wealth of knowledge and fresh ideas. No longer are batters just standing in the cage, trying to see how far they can hit the ball. No sir, it’s situational hitting with Rettenmund and you better have an explanation of what you want to do with each swing.

McIlvaine, hearing that Rettenmund wanted to stay in his hometown, was the one who initiated the hiring process, calling Rettenmund soon after the World Series. Two days later, Rettenmund was in Greeley, Colo., to interview with Riddoch. He was hired the next day.

“I don’t know if I could ask for anyone better,” Riddoch said.

Spending parts of 13 years in the big leagues--including two with the Padres--and playing in three World Series, it’s easy to understand why Rettenmund has received the players’ respect.

Major league playing experience: 1,023 games.

Major league coaching experience: seven years.

THIRD BASE COACH

* Bruce Kimm, 39.

Kimm’s claim to fame in his playing career was being Mark Fidrych’s personal catcher during his rookie season in 1976, catching all of his 29 starts. “The Bird” had a mutual respect for Kimm, who hit .263 for the season but .303 in games Fidrych started.

Riddoch met Kimm when he was in the Cincinnati organization, where Kimm was the bullpen coach for four years and the third-base coach for a year. He then went on to Pittsburgh, where he has been an extra coach on Jim Leyland’s staff the past two seasons, keeping scouting charts during games.

Kimm’s primary responsibility is the catchers, working on blocking and throwing drills. He also has worked extensively on calling games and setting up hitters.

“I knew he was available, and he had a great reputation as a third base coach in Cincinnati,” Riddoch said. “He’s kept scouting books the past seven years in this league, and that’s really going to be beneficial to us. He really has great instincts.”

Major league playing experience: 186 games.

Major league coaching experience: seven years.

FIRST BASE COACH

* Rob Picciolo, 38.

When the coaching staff was being assembled, McIlvaine told Riddoch that he wanted one coach from the previous regime to remain on the staff. It was Riddoch’s choice. He picked Picciolo.

Perhaps the coach players like best, Picciolo helps bridge the gap between management and players. He’s the one who’s out every morning working with infielders and the the one staying late to pitch batting practice.

“I can’t believe how good he is,” one veteran infielder said. “I’ve been in this game for a while, and he’s the best I’ve seen.”

Picciolo, the youngest member of the coaching staff, has been in the Padre organization for the past five years. He worked two years as the rookie league manager in Spokane and the past three as a roving minor league infield instructor before joining the big-league staff at the All-Star break.

There was talk during the off-season that Picciolo would be moved to the third base coach’s box, but he said he felt more comfortable at first.

“He’s got to be one of the most dedicated infield instructors in the game,” Riddoch said. “He’s always working. He also has become sort of a buffer between the staff and the players.”

Major league playing experience: 730 games.

Major league coaching experience: three months.