ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington, the skipper for the American League squad in the All-Star Game for the second consecutive season, announced that Oakland's Bob Melvin and Kansas City's Ned Yost will serve as assistant coaches.

This is the second All-Star Game appearance for Melvin and Yost. Melvin was a member of Bob Brenly's Diamondbacks staff for the National League at the 2002 game in Milwaukee and Yost was a coach for Tony La Russa, who will manage the NL team this year, at the 2005 All-Star Game in Detroit.

“Yost has been a long time friend of mine," Washington said. "He's a very smart baseball guy. He does a lot in the community in Kansas City and does a lot to try to bring some type of vision to the organization. They’re young. So that was an easy choice. Bob Melvin, I’ve known Bob for a long time. You never hear bob making excuses. He’s doing a good job with the Oakland A’s team."

Washington said that when Jim Leyland invited him to coach in the All-Star Game that he told Washington to invite guys that either hadn't ever coached in the game or might not get the chance if he ever got the chance to manage one himself. Washington has stuck to that philosophy.

"Bob Melvin had something planned with his family and when I called him he talked to his wife and she immediately said ‘Let’s go to the All-Star Game,'" Washington said. "So I was happy for that. They want to be at the All-Star Game and I want to have them. So I thought it was a good thing.”

Washington will bring his Rangers staff with him as well to Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City for the July 10 game. That includes Dave Anderson (third base coach), Scott Coolbaugh (hitting), Andy Hawkins (bullpen), Mike Maddux (pitching), Jackie Moore (bench) and Gary Pettis (first base coach).

Nick Kenney, head athletic trainer for the Royals, and Lonnie Soloff, athletic trainer with the Cleveland Indians, will also be on the staff.