New Met manager Art Howe yesterday named his coaching staff for the 2003 season, and one of the most popular Mets ever, Mookie Wilson, was not on the list.

A Met outfielder from 1980-89 and a World Series hero in 1986, Wilson instead was offered a job as a roving baserunning and outfield coach in the minor-league system – a position he occupied before he became the first-base coach in Flushing. Wilson reportedly was weighing the offer and has not yet given the Mets an answer. The Mets were unhappy with the team’s outfield play and baserunning last season.

As expected, the Mets announced that Don Baylor will be Howe’s bench coach next season and Gary Pettis will take Wilson’s place at first base. Denny Walling is the hitting coach, Vern Ruhle the pitching coach and Rick Waits the bullpen coach, replacing Randy Niemann. Matt Galante was retained as the third base coach, making him the only holdover from Bobby Valentine’s staff.