Seattle, WA (My Sportsbook) - The
Seattle Mariners have hired Bob Melvin, bench coach for the
Arizona Diamondbacks the past two seasons, as the club's new manager.
Melvin replaces Lou Piniella, who left the Mariners last month after 10 seasons to manage the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
"It's hard for me to express how excited I am about this opportunity," Melvin said. "Seattle is one of the premier organizations in the Major Leagues and this job is one of the best managerial jobs in all of baseball. I look forward to getting to work and to helping maintain the winning tradition that has been established here."
Melvin was the youngest of four finalists for the position and, at 41, is barely a year older than Seattle designated hitter Edgar Martinez and free agent pitcher Jamie Moyer. He was selected over former managers Buddy Bell and Jim Riggleman and Baltimore bench coach Sam Perlozzo, a successful minor- league manager who also spent three years as Mariners third-base coach.
"After talking with all of our candidates, Bob was our No. 1 choice," Seattle general manager Pat Gillick said. "He is a very strong communicator who will be able to motivate and lead our players."
Melvin's only previous managerial experience was in the Arizona Fall League, but he has championship experience. He served under Bob Brenly as the bench coach for Arizona when the Diamondbacks defeated the New York Yankees to win the 2001 World Series.
Melvin played 10 seasons in the majors, hitting .233 over that span with 35 home runs and 212 RBI in 692 career games as a catcher with seven different teams. He retired as a player in 1994. Melvin also coached for the Tigers and Brewers in 1999-2000.
He received a two-year contract and is expected to retain at least one member of Piniella's coaching staff -- pitching coach Bryan Price. First base coach John Moses and third base coach Dave Myers have one year remaining on their contracts.
Seattle finished 93-69 in 2002, ten games behind Oakland in the AL West, and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1999 in a very competitive American League.
