One day after concluding the season with another last-place finish (75-87), the Mariners announced the retention of the entire coaching staff with the exception of hitting coach Chris Chambliss, who was fired after the club finished at the bottom of most offensive categories.
“We will begin an immediate search for a new hitting coach, GM Jack Zduriencik said in a club statement. On behalf of the Mariners organization, I want to thank Chris for all of his hard work and dedication over the past two seasons.
Manager Eric Wedge also thanked Chambliss and said the current staff is at work on 2013.
As we go through the process of getting this team where we want it to be, the coaches are a big part of it, he said. We had meetings today, and the coaches and staff will be in contact with our players all winter.
Returning are bench coach Robby Thompson (infield); pitching coach Carl Willis; first base coach Mike Brumley (outfield/baserunning); third base coach Jeff Datz (catching); bullpen coach Jaime Navarro and bullpen catcher Jason Phillips.
Chambliss, 63, has had 15 seasons as a big league hitting coach, and 43 in professional baseball.
Chambliss didn’t scout of sign any of Seattle’s hitters, but takes the fall for the Mariners ranking last in the American League in runs scored (619), hits (1,285), batting average (.234), on-base percentage (.296), slugging (.369), OPS (.665) and total bases (2,027). The Mariners were 11th in home runs (149).
In addition to booting Chambliss, the Mariners said second baseman Dustin Ackley and shortstop Brendan Ryan underwent arthroscopic surgeries.
Ackley had a bone spur removed from his left ankle and Ryan had one removed from his right elbow. Eachwill begin rehab Friday and are expected to be ready for spring training in February.
13 Comments
First, move the fences, now the hitting coach … what’s next, cheaper beer?
First, move the fences, now the hitting coach … what’s next, cheaper beer?
That’s weird. The club says they’re moving in the fences which basically states that the park is too big and then fire the hitting coach? I suppose Wedge is next and Bobby Valentine will be hired!
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That’s weird. The club says they’re moving in the fences which basically states that the park is too big and then fire the hitting coach? I suppose Wedge is next and Bobby Valentine will be hired!
For some reason your comments were getting flagged as SPAM, so I just assigned your account to our whitelist.
Since the M’s didn’t lose 100 games this year, they only had to fire ONE coach to cover front office incompetence. Good going guys. Congrats to Chuck and Howie.
Since the M’s didn’t lose 100 games this year, they only had to fire ONE coach to cover front office incompetence. Good going guys. Congrats to Chuck and Howie.
So now Chris Chambliss is a former Mariners batting coach, just like Alonzo Powell. And Alan Cockrell. And Lee Elia. And Jeff Pentland. And Don Baylor. And Paul Molitor. And Lamar Johnson. And Gerald Perry.
And that’s just since 2002.
I remember when they canned Molitor. Very surprised and disappointed in that move.
So now Chris Chambliss is a former Mariners batting coach, just like Alonzo Powell. And Alan Cockrell. And Lee Elia. And Jeff Pentland. And Don Baylor. And Paul Molitor. And Lamar Johnson. And Gerald Perry.
And that’s just since 2002.
I remember when they canned Molitor. Very surprised and disappointed in that move.