Off Topic · OT: 1st ever Asian American MGR hired by the Mariners (page 1)

congrats to Don Wakamatsu... represent broham.

That's cool as hell.....post an article

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081119/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bba_mariners_wakamatsu

Seattle Mariners name Don Wakamatsu as manager

By TIM BOOTH, AP Sports Writer Tim Booth, Ap Sports Writer – Wed Nov 19, 1:23 pm ET
In this March 13, 2007 file photo Texas Rangers third base coach Don Wakamatsu AP – In this March 13, 2007 file photo Texas Rangers third base coach Don Wakamatsu winds up to throw in batting …



SEATTLE – Don Wakamatsu became the first Asian-American manager in major league baseball history when he was hired Wednesday by the Seattle Mariners.

The Mariners' 14th manager, Wakamatsu was bench coach for the Oakland Athletics last season. Before that he spent five years with the Texas Rangers.

"When I started this process, there were some key attributes we were looking for," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a statement. "We wanted energy, a passion and the skills to translate that passion to the players. We wanted leadership, a presence that could help us as we define the 'Mariners Way' to win. We wanted someone that both the community and the players could embrace. We wanted someone who sees the big picture and cares about the players and wants to win. Don embodies all of those traits."

The 45-year-old was among a field of seven candidates interviewed by Zduriencik. None of the seven had previous major league managerial experience. The overwhelming fan favorite was former Seattle second baseman and current Chicago White Sox bench coach Joey Cora.

Wakamatsu will be the fifth manager in Seattle since the departure of Lou Piniella after the 2002 season. The Mariners have cycled through Bob Melvin, Mike Hargrove, John McLaren and Jim Riggleman since Piniella left, none of the four approaching Piniella's success.

Wakamatsu replaces Riggleman, who took over in June when McLaren was fired after a 25-47 start to a season in which the Mariners were expected to contend for the playoffs. Riggleman wasn't even considered for the job in 2009.

McLaren was on the job less than 12 months, after Hargrove quit suddenly in the middle of the 2007 season — the last time Seattle was winning.

The Mariners lost 101 games this season, their most since 1983, and became the first team to lose 100 with a $100 million payroll. Now they hope Wakamatsu can bring some stability and aid in the redevelopment of a franchise that hasn't made the playoffs since 2001.

"This is something I've looked forward to for a long time," Wakamatsu said in a statement. "It is a tremendous opportunity and I can't wait to get going with Jack and his group as we start working on the 2009 team."

A former catcher, Wakamatsu spent almost his entire playing career in the minors, except for 18 games with the Chicago White Sox in 1991. His final season in the minors was in 1996 as player-coach of the Mariners' Double-A Port City farm team.

He managed four seasons in the minors but never higher than Double-A before joining the Rangers' bench in 2003.

Wakamatsu, who was born in Hood River, Ore., says he knows only a little Japanese — always a consideration in Seattle, where All-Star Ichiro Suzuki is the franchise cornerstone — though it has improved recently with the A's and Rangers.

He also understands management doesn't expect this to be a long-term rebuilding project.

"In general, it's a young team that maybe with some prodding we can win right away," Wakamatsu said last week.

[Edited by - TMS on 11-19-2008 4:53 PM]

doesnt look asian to me

yeah, he doesn't look Asian to me either... i think he's half.

Its the sunglasses

nah, i saw him do an interview on ESPN & he definitely looks more Caucasian than Asian... but that's OK... Tiger Woods & Hines Ward are Asian too but you wouldn't necessarily know it by looking at them either.

Well, I think he needs to take his mom or dad, or both to Maury and find out whats up, cause it doesnt look like he has a drop of Asian blood flowin' through his body.

Anyway, be that as it may, his last name works for me. Great to see the further expansion of diversity in the game. Asian's need to start grabbin' what's they want too. Thats whats up. WU TANG, bytch!

A.R.E.A.M. dolla dolla bill y'all.

dude sorta looks like Ted Lilly's dad... or Bucky Dent's younger brother.

"Wakamatsu is half-Japanese -- his father was born in a relocation camp in Tule Lake -- and half-Irish, and his parents still live in the East Bay."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2006/10/08/SPGQJLKUKA1.DTL