Mariners 2016 Coaching Staff Taking Shape

Jerry Dipoto and the Seattle Mariners introduced new skipper Scott Servais to the fan base on Monday morning at Safeco Field. However, that was not the only coaching related news to come out of Seattle today. The M’s have named Tim Bogar as bench coach, Edgar Martinez as hitting coach, Mel Stottlemyre Jr. as pithing coach and Chris Woodward as first base coach.

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Tim Bogar played 9 seasons as an infielder in the big leagues with the New York Mets, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers. Bogie has spent 6 seasons as a coach in the Major Leagues, and most recently served as a special assistant to the GM with the Angels.

Through five seasons managing in the minor leagues, Bogar sports a record of 362-266 and has won three Manager of the Year awards. His impressive resume caught the attention of the Texas Rangers in 2013, who hired Bogar to be Ron Washington‘s bench coach. After Washington was fired in early September, Bogar took over as the interim manager. The Rangers closed out the season with a 14-8 record under Bogie’s command.

Apr 13, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners first base coach Chris Woodward before the interleague game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Mariners flourished under the watchful eye of Edgar Martinez in 2015. Seattle hit just .233 and averaged 3.38 runs per game prior to Gar being appointed hitting instructor on June 20th. Over the final 94 games, the M’s hit .260 with 305 extra base hits and averaged 4.55 runs per game. Those are shocking results, especially considering Edgar had no previous coaching experience.

Edgar Martinez is one of the most beloved figures in Mariners’ history, and it will be a treat to see him in the dugout next season. Gar played 18 seasons in an M’s uniform, hitting .312 with 309 home runs and 1,261 RBI. He represented Seattle at 7 All Star games, and took home 5 Silver Sluggers. Martinez is the greatest designated hitter in baseball history, and hopefully he gets the long overdue call to Cooperstown, NY this winter.

Mel Stottlemyre Jr. is a new addition to the Mariners coaching staff after serving as the D-Backs bullpen coach in 2015. The 51-year-old has been a pitching coach at multiple levels in the minor leagues, and was the pitching coach for Arizona in 2009 and 2010.

Stottlemyre is a familiar name to baseball fans. Mel Sr. was a great pitcher and was the New York Yankees pitching coach during their glory years in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. He actually has some ties to the M’s, as he finished his coaching career with the M’s in 2008. Mel Jr. was born in Prosser, WA and grew up in Yakima, so 2016 will be a homecoming of sorts. He was also selected by the Mariners in the 28th round of the 1982 draft, but he opted not to sign.

Chris Woodward has been retained by Scott Servais to serve as the Mariners first base coach and infield instructor. Woodward has spent the past two seasons with Seattle. He is credited with helping turn Kyle Seager into a Gold Glove third baseman. The 38-year-old played 12 seasons in the big leagues with the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners.

Next: Mariners Introduce Scott Servais as Manager

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