Seattle Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu was fired Monday amidst a miserable season. According to the release, bench coach Ty Van Burkleo and pitching coach Rick Adair were also let go also.
At 42-70, the Mariners owned the third-worst record in the league. The club expected to be playoff contenders when they acquired pitcher Cliff Lee, infielder Chone Figgins and outfielder Milton Bradley in the offseason.
Daren Brown, who has managed the Mariners AAA Tacoma Rainiers affiliate in the Pacific Coast League for the past four seasons, was promoted to interim manager for remainder of 2010 season.
“I have concluded that these changes needed to be made now and that they are in the best interest of the Mariners as we move forward,” general manager Jack Zduriencik said.
“Don, Ty and Rick are all good baseball men and they have done their very best. But we are where we are. I no longer have confidence that Don, Ty and Rick are the right long-term fit for our organization. New leadership is needed and it is needed now.”
Wakamatsu, 47, was named manager of the Mariners on Nov. 19, 2008. He posted an 85-77 mark during the 2009 season. He went 127-147 over the two seasons.
Wakamatsu is the fifth manager to be fired this season – Baltimore’s Dave Trembley, Kansas City’s Trey Hillman, Arizona’s A.J. Hinch and Florida’s Fredi Gonzalez.
