The Seattle Mariners announced Lloyd McClendon as their next manager, the third manager hired by General Manager Jack Zduriencik. He takes over for Eric Wedge who walked away format he job after the season citing differences with the front office on how to move forward with improving the team.. Wedge’s contact had run its course.
McClendon was one of five reported finalists for the Mariners’ job, a list that included Joey Cora, Oakland bench coach Chip Hale, Dodgers third-base coach Tim Wallach and San Diego bench coach Rick Renteria.
“Lloyd is a bright and articulate guy,” Zduriencik said in the statement. “He has major league managerial experience and has served in a vital capacity in Detroit under one of the game’s best managers. He is a tireless worker and is very respected by the players with whom he has worked. We look forward to Lloyd embracing our players as we move the Mariners forward.”
McClendon, 54 was the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2001 to ’05, going 336-446 and was fired after the 2005 season , having never won more than 75 games in a season. For eight seasons, McClendon was a coach for the Detroit Tigers, including the past seven as hitting coach.
The Puget Sounds Business Journal first reported the news.
