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Riggleman Replaces McLaren

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 20, 2008

SEATTLE - John McLaren was fired Thursday as manager of the Seattle Mariners, who began the season with playoff aspirations and now have the majors' worst record.
Bench coach Jim Riggleman of Madeira Beach will run the Mariners for the rest of the season, beginning tonight.

The Mariners made the announcement before the team left on its road trip and three days after GM Bill Bavasi was fired. McLaren was Tampa Bay's bench coach from 2003 to 2005, and was a special assignment scout for the Rays in 2006.

Seattle is 25-47 and 17 1/2 games behind the Angels in the AL West.

"We hadn't shown any improvement for the last couple of months. In fact, we were probably regressing," interim GM Lee Pelekoudas said.

The likable, folksy McLaren was an assistant for 21 1/2 years in the majors before he took over as Seattle's manager in July when Mike Hargrove abruptly quit. McLaren went 68-88 in less than a full season on the job.

Riggleman, who was unavailable for comment while traveling with the team, has more than 1,000 games of managerial experience in the majors. He managed the Cubs from 1995-99, leading them to the NL wild card in '98, and spent two full seasons managing San Diego.

CUBS: Ace Carlos Zambrano will miss his next scheduled start because of shoulder trouble and will undergo an MRI exam today.

INDIANS: DH Travis Hafner was advised by doctors Mark Schickendantz and James Andrews to continue with a strengthening program for his right shoulder. Hafner will be re-evaluated within a week to 10 days.

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