First, let me state that former Mariner Joey Cora, who may or may not be interviewed for the Mariner post, should not take the helm of the Good Ship Mariner. Those who recall him crying in the Mariner dugout when they were ousted from the playoffs will understand. There is no crying in baseball, even in the dugout. He does have some support, but other candidates have been interviewed.
Ron Wotus, the bench coach of the SF Giants (Photo credit: Maximum Mitch)
The three who have been interviewed are bench coaches. Chip Hale of the Oakland A’s, Rick Renteria of the San Diego Padres, and Ron Wotus of the San Francisco Giants. Three California teams make it seem like a Pac-12 recruiting trip.
The most intriguing to me is Wotus, 52, who has been the Giants bench coach since 1999, working for three different managers. Sounds like a good company man who can get along with others, and he has served on two Giant World Series championship teams. The Mariners also wanted someone with minor league experience. Wotus has a 554-412 managerial record in the Giants minor league system from 1991-1997, receiving two manager of the year awards. All in all, he fits the profile of the type of manager they are looking for. How well he interviewed we don’t know.
Renteria is 51, coached Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, played 47 games for the Mariners in 1987-88, and also has minor league managerial experience. Chip Hale, 48, interviewed for the Seattle managerial position in 2008, but Don Wakamatsu got the job. I think two interviews is the limit. If he fails to get the job this time, what can he say the third time he has not already said.
The Mariners are assumed to be interested in Boston bench coach Torey Lovullo, but must wait until the World Series has ended before interviewing him. In the meantime former Pirate manager, now Tigers hitting coach, Lloyd McClendon will be getting his shot.
The interview list will grow, more names popping up. If you are wondering who, look at teams bench coaches for starters.
Filed under: Baseball, Seattle Mariners, sports Tagged: Chip Hale, Joey Cora, Lloyd McClendon, Mariner, Rick Renteria, Ron Wotus, San Francisco Giants, Torey Lovullo
