Monday, October 18, 2010

Mariners Name Wedge New Manager

The Seattle Mariners have hired former Cleveland Indians skipper Eric Wedge to be their new manager for the 2011 season. It is not known how long the M's will have Wedge under contract.

Wedge managed the Tribe from 2003 through 2009. He was named 2007 AL Manager of the Year after leading the Indians to an AL Central Division title. The Indians were up three games to one against the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS but the Sox stormed back to win the AL pennant and went on to win the World Series. Things never got back on track for the Indians who dismissed Wedge following last season.

I, of course, expected the Mariners to have a parade through downtown Seattle. Instead, the Mariners lost 101 games. They dismissed manager Don Wakamatsu in August and Daren Brown, manager of the Mariners Triple A affiliate in Tacoma, took over the team for the rest of the season. It is unknown as to whether Brown will return to Tacoma or be invited to be part of Wedge's coaching staff.

I think Wedge is a reasonably good choice. But the Mariners need bats.

No comments: