Mariners add Elia's expertise.

Byline: Larry Larue

Nov. 1--Lee Elia has spent close to 50 years in a major league uniform and will spend at least part of the 2008 season with the Seattle Mariners, who hired him Wednesday as an on-field consultant.

A Mariners coach twice under Lou Piniella -- from 1993-97, then again in 2001-2002 -- Elia will join the team for about half of spring training and then periodically throughout the regular season.

"It's impossible to think of a situation he hasn't been through," manager John McLaren said. "Having a person of his knowledge and experience to use as a sounding board and to offer advice, and constructive criticism, to me and my coaches can only help us to do a better job.

"I've had the opportunity to work with him both in Seattle and Tampa Bay, and know first hand what a keen baseball mind he has."

Elia was originally considered for McLaren's full-time coaching staff after spending last year as a scout with Tampa Bay. In a long career that began as a player in 1959, Elia played with the White Sox and Cubs in the mid-1960s.

After stints managing in the minor leagues, Elia has been a manager, bench coach or third base coach for 23 years in the majors, last serving the Baltimore Orioles as bench coach in 2006.