Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scoreboard - Live Odds - Sporting Events - Live Lines

O&N HOME | NFL MLB NBA NHL NCAAF NCAABk Nascar Golf Soccer Tennis Boxing Horse Racing All Sports

Report: Mariners pick A's bench coach Wakamatsu as manager

Tue 18th, November 2008

Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - New Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik has reportedly settled on a new manager, and he has apparently raided the coaching staff of a division rival in the process.

The Seattle Times reported Tuesday night that Zduriencik has picked Don Wakamatsu to be Seattle's next manager, and the announcement will be made on Wednesday. Wakamatsu, 45, just completed his first season as bench coach for the Oakland Athletics after spending five seasons on the coaching staff of the Texas Rangers.

Zduriencik tabbed Wakamatsu out of a group of seven candidates -- White Sox third base coach Joey Cora, Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills, Diamondbacks third base coach Chip Hale, Triple-A Portland manager Randy Ready, Red Sox third base coach DeMarlo Hale and Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo -- none of whom had major league managerial experience.

A former catcher, Wakamatsu's playing career spanned 12 seasons with seven organizations. His only stint in the majors came in 1991, when he played in 18 games with the Chicago White Sox, batting .226 with no homers or runs batted in.

Born in Hood River, Oregon, Wakamatsu grew up in Hayward, California, and played collegiately at Arizona State before the Cincinnati Reds selected him in the 11th round of the 1985 amateur draft.

Prior to joining the Rangers coaching staff, Wakamatsu spent three years in the Angels organization, managing in the Arizona League, and for Single-A High Desert, Double-A Erie, and Double-A El Paso. He compiled a managerial record of 215-248.

Wakamatsu will take over for interim manager Jim Riggleman, who had been the bench coach when manager John McLaren was fired in June, after less than a year at the helm. McLaren was shown the door after the Mariners, a team expected to contend in the AL West, started the season 25-47. Seattle finished the campaign 61-101, the worst record in the AL.

McLaren's dismissal came three days after upper management fired general manager Bill Bavasi. The Mariners hired former Brewers executive Zduriencik as their new GM in October.

Where the players come to play and STAY.