Report: Mariners to name Wakamatsu as manager

Nov 19, 2008 - 1:06 AM SEATTLE (Ticker) -- The Seattle Mariners are expected to name former Oakland Athletics bench coach Don Wakamatsu as their new manager, according to a report in Tuesday's Seattle Times.

The announcement is expected to come at a press conference scheduled for Wednesday.

Wakamatsu, 45, was one of seven finalists interviewed by general manager Jack Zduriencik in the past four days.

Wakamatsu was with the Texas Rangers as a bench coach and third base coach from 2003-2007 before serving as the A's bench coach this past season.

Wakamatsu inherits what is left of a Mariners' team that was one of the biggest disappointments in baseball last season. Seattle (61-101) became the first team with a $100 million dollar payroll to lose 100 games.

The lackluster play forced ownership to make drastic moves. Seattle fired both general manager Bob Bavasi and John McLaren midseason after the Mariners posted a 25-47 mark.

Jim Riggleman was named interim manger on June 20, while Lee Pelekoudas took over for Bavasi and cut loose underachievers like Richie Sexson and Jose Vidro.

Wakamatsu will be the Mariners' fourth manager in the last two seasons. McLaren became the Mariners' manager by default when good friend Mike Hargrove resigned in the midst of an eight-game winning streak midway through the 2007 season.