The Mariners today fired 2nd year manager Don Wakamatsu, along with the bench coach, the pitching coach, and the performance coach.
Despite comments from General Manager Jack Zduriencik only a few days ago that “Don’s our manager,” Wakamatsu was fired today, after posting a 127-147 (.464) record in less than two seasons as Mariners manager. Wakamatsu was credited for the Mariners surprising turnaround in 2009, when the team followed up a 101 loss season in 2008 with an 85-77 record. This season, the Mariners are near the bottom in the American League, playing poorly, have one of the worst offenses in Mariner history, and are thought to have hit bottom with a recent dugout fracas between infielder Chone Figgins and the manager.
The fact of his firing isn’t so much of a surprise as the timing, especially after General Manager Jack Zduriencik’s belated show of support on August 2nd.
While it is obvious that Wak had lost control of his team, as evidenced by the mutinous behavior of Figgins (who apparently received no consequences for his public display against his manager), the real blame for this poorly performing team (more accurately, the team’s poor offense), should rest with Jack Zduriencik and upper management for failing to bring in any hitters in the off-season to support what turned out to be a great pitching staff.
Minor league manager Daren Brown will leave Tacoma to take over the helm of the sinking ship USS Mariner. The poor guy! Changing managers will not matter unless Jack Z brings in some power hitters over the off-season, and not from the minor, but though free-agency and/or trades.
See also:
http://www.mynorthwest.com/category/mariners_articles/20100809/Mariners-fire-Don-Wakamatsu/
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/2012577357_wakamatsu10.html