In 1995, everything seemed very bright for the Seattle Mariners. Remember, the Yankee Killers bound for the playoffs? After the strike shortened the 1994 season, the Mariners came out in 95′ (Refuse to Lose) looking like a new team after their first 20 years of futility. Starting the 21st century off right, the Mariners seemed… well, their records speak volumes.
Although before the 1999 season, they traded Randy Johnson, the best pitcher in the Major Leagues, at his request, to later join the elite American League teams. Then Ken Griffey, Jr. requested to be traded. The Mariners still manage to win 91 games en route to the AL wild-card spot in the 2000 postseason. Then they lose A-Rod, the best young player in the majors. Guess what? they win a record 116 games in 2001. In 2002 they won 93 games, but unfortunately that was Lou Piniella’s last year as he too left town. They won 93 games again in 2003. However, Pat Gillick later left town. Need I say more?
In late 2003, The Mariner’s leadership slit their throats by hiring Bill Bavasi as general manager and immediately began implementing their sorcery. The Mariners record since that fateful step back: 2004 63-99, 2005 69-93, 2006 78-84, in 2007 a false ray of hope, 88-74, and in 2008 they predicted to win the division, spent more than $100 Million dollars in payroll and proceed to lose a record 101 games. The first team to lose more than 100 games while spending more than $100 million dollars. The estate finally realizes that the ship is sinking fast and it will take a miracle to turn it around in the near future – step one – FIRE Bavasi, however momentum drags them down for the entire season.
Let’s see what Mr. Bill did to destroy a very good team in four very short years. He gave an overrated RICHie Sexton a gigantic contract. In 2008 he won $15.5 million and was cut from the team, that’s how bad it was, unfortunately it took him too long to realize. The other option at that time was Carlos Delgado, who has had four very nice years. Second he gives a gigantic contract to Adrianne Beltre instead of Miguel Tejada. Disastrous trades for him include Chris Snelling, a rookie with a lot of potential for a failed Jose Vidro. Carlos Guillén for Ramón Santiago, Randy Winn for Jessee Foppert and Rafael Soriano for Horacio Ramírez. And his other terrible free-agent signings, Rich Aurilia, Matt Lawton, Carl Everett, Scott Spiezio and Jeff Weaver.
He then signs an unsuccessful Brad Wilkerson to play outfield and sends Jeremy Reed back to Tacoma. And of course their Crown Jewel was trading five, count them 5, very good or potentially good players for Eric Bedard, who did nothing for the team in 2008. So now they’re looking at 5 players like they GAVE AWAY. What was this boy thinking?
NOW, Outside the BAD and inside the Good. On June 16, 2008, the Mariners woke up and relieved Billy Bob Bavasi of his duties with the club. “Change is in order,” said Howard Lincoln. “We have determined that new leadership is needed in the GM position. (Duh) With a new leader will come a new plan and a new approach. The search will begin immediately.”
On June 19, manager John McLaren was sacked, a little late, but better late than never. Jim Riggleman was asked to pilot the sinking ship.
On July 10, RICHie Sexton was finally released, thank God.
On August 13, José Vidro was released.
NOW, how do you hire a New Blood with unlimited baseball smarts, a keen eye for talent, and fresh ideas? WOW, how the heck did Howard Lincoln pull this off? Let us give credit where credit is due. Good job Mr. Lincoln. He said an “exhaustive and extensive” search, which took more than three months, resulted in Genius being “hired”.
10/24/2008 (save that date) The Seattle Mariners sign Jack Zduriencik (pronounced zur-EN-sik). Eager for the challenge, he said his goal is to help build the Ms in a position to compete with the best baseball clubs as quickly as possible. A priority is to create a TEAM from top to bottom.
The new Mrs. General Manager has 25 years of front office experience. Her background is in scouting and player development. She has been exposed and involved in all aspects of the game. Zduriencik’s skills at evaluating talent are so good, in fact, that his First-Year Player Drafts are nearly legendary and Baseball America named him Major League Baseball Executive of the Year in 2007, the first non-general manager to win the award. . Let the “Age Z” begin!
The first internal change under Mr. Z, the Mariners fired Bob Fontaine as director of exploration (hired by Bavasi). Next, he hired Tony Blengino, his top assistant when he was in Milwaukee, as a special assistant to the general manager. He authored the book “Future Stars,” an annual review of minor league prospect scouting and statistics. He also hired Tom McNamara, previously with the Ms from 1994 to 2000 as a scout, as director of amateur scouting. He has 15 years of experience as a full-time scout. He also hired Carmen Fusco as director of pro scouting. Mr. Z said “these three guys come from diverse backgrounds in baseball with a lot of experience” and “each brings passion and high-level experience to his area of responsibility.”
Big Jack said “Talent wins” when asked about his ideas on how to make the ship turn. The Ms have scouts who have seen all the talent in Japan. Maybe they can sign Junichi Tazawa, a hard-pitch pitcher (in the mid-90s). His approach to hiring the new manager was fresh, out-of-the-box, makes sense, and of course only time will tell how that decision pans out.
Jack Zduriensik announced the hiring of Don Wakamatsu as the new manager of the Seattle Mariners. Outside the field of seven hopefuls, Wakamatsu appears to be an excellent choice. He served as Oakland “A” bench coach last year. Before that, from 2003 until last year, he was a coach for the Texas Rangers. He also worked out for the California Angels, which gave him experience with all three of the Mariners’ division rivals. He is highly respected throughout the game for his excellent preparation.
Some points of interest from the Mariners 16 Managers. First, Darrell Johnson 1977-80, 226-362 record. Not much chance with an Expansion team. Next up was Maury Wills, great Dodger, was probably the worst manager in baseball history 1980-81 26-56 record. One of the best moves the Seattle Mariners made was signing Lou Piniella 1993-2002 W 840 L 711 .542 pct winner. I took the Ms to the postseason four times. Yes, these were the Glory days. In 2005, Ms. Ella hired Mike Hargrove, who resigned midway through the 2007 season, a sign of what awaited her in the years to come. 192-210. 2007-208 John McLaren 68-88, fired after 25-47 at the start of the 2008 season, perhaps a little late. Jim Riggleman steered a sinking ship for the rest of the 2008 season. Mariner fans pray that Wakamatsu will be a captain with Piniella-like results.
The next order of business signs the 2007 draft pick by throwing Josh Fields. That Bavasi could not do. Offer Tazawa a contract. He works the magic of it in this year’s draft with the No. 2 overall pick. Stay tuned for free agent signings, trades and AA promotions.
Add in the hope of the future, upstairs and corners. Pitchers Brandon Morrow and Ryan Rowland Smith to join Felix (King) Hernandez and Eric Bedard. Look at catcher Jeff Clement, outfielder Jeremy Reed and Mike Morse 1B/OF. Then don’t forget about Ichiro Suzuki! and Wallah The Seattle Mariners will be back in the playoff hunt for 2009, YES 2009! And what might be more fitting, the Mariners return to the best sports radio station in Seattle, KIRO. This will give the Mariners a year-round presence. Come on sailors! You deserve it. MAY ALL YOUR SPORTS DREAMS COME TRUE >>>