Lloyd McClendon was handed the task of trying to guide the Seattle Mariners into becoming a Major League Baseball contender after being named manager of the American League squad Wednesday.
McClendon, who spent 16 seasons as a player, became the fourth manager hired since the season concluded but the first with any prior experience, having managed the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2001-2005.
For the past eight years, McClendon has been an assistant coach with the Detroit Tigers, helping the club capture two American League titles.
"Lloyd is a bright and articulate guy," said Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik, the Pirates' scouting director from 1991-93 when McClendon played for Pittsburgh.
"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, went 336-446 with Pittsburgh during a run of 20 years of losing seasons from the Pirates but helped Jim Leyland guide the Tigers to the World Series twice as a batting coach.
"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to manage the Seattle Mariners," said McClendon. "Seattle has a tremendous group of talented players and the fans and city should be excited about the club's future. I'm looking for this group to take a big step forward."
Source: DSG
