Rockies manager Walt Weiss’ recruitment of Dante Bichette paid off Tuesday as the former Rockies all-star was named the team’s new hitting instructor.

Bichette had been contacted about the job several weeks ago but was uncertain there was a fit. That changed when Weiss was named the Rockies manager last week. Weiss personally called Bichette and asked that he reconsider. And Bichette accepted.

Said Weiss: “We felt Dante was a top-notch hitting guy. And once he showed renewed interest, we went after him full-bore.”

Bichette was a four-time all-star with the Rockies and a former teammate of Weiss’ in the mid-1990s. Bichette, 48, retired following the 2001 season. He’s a career .299 hitter with 274 home runs and 1,141 RBIs.

“He was the best I ever played with when it came to driving in runs,” said Weiss. “He always had a terrific two-strike approach, and he was very, very good with runners in scoring position.”

Said Bichette: “Absolutely, that’s important (hitting well with two strikes and with runners in scoring position). I think they go hand in hand. Because that’s when a pitcher is coming at you with his best stuff. So if you can come through in the clutch, that’s the mark of an accomplished hitter.”

Bichette expressed an eagerness to see Coors Field return as the site of a thriving Rockies offense, akin to his Blake Street Bombers days.

“That would be ideal to make this a place where pitchers really have a fear coming in here because that breeds mistakes,” said Bichette. “And if you’re a good offensive team, you can take advantage of that.”

Bichette did special-assistant work for the Nationals after he retired. But he has spent the last several years coaching his sons, including Dante Bichette Jr., who is a top prospect in the Yankees organization.

When asked what Bichette might afford younger hitters, Weiss said: “For me, hitting at the major-league level is mostly about the mental approach. Dante always had a great level of awareness when he was in the batter’s box. That’s what this game dictates. That’s what you need to succeed.”