[Vision2020] Mariner news

[Carl Westberg]

Not entirely unexpected.  Let the hot stove league begin for the Seattle 
Mariners.                                                                    
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                    Carl Westberg Jr.







>Mariners fire manager Bob Melvin after two seasons
>Full story: 
>http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2002053556_webmelvin04.html
>
>Seattle Times staff and news reports
>
>
>SEATTLE — Bob Melvin was fired as manager of the Seattle Mariners today, a 
>day after the team ended the season with its 99th loss.
>
>Melvin, who lasted two seasons, was told of the decision during a morning 
>meeting at Safeco Field, and general manager Bill Bavasi called a news 
>conference later in the day.
>
>In May, the Mariners exercised the option on Melvin's contract for 2005 
>despite a 9-16 start. He led the team to a 93-69 record in 2003 after Lou 
>Piniella left for Tampa Bay.
>
>The Mariners left spring training expecting to contend for a playoff spot. 
>Instead, they finished 63-99 and barely avoided their first 100-loss season 
>since 1983.
>
>"What can you do? Anytime a team struggles the way we have this year, you 
>have to make some changes somewhere," Melvin said Sunday. "I'll just play 
>it a day at a time. If I'm here, I'm here. It would be great."
>
>Melvin was not immediately available for comment today.
>
>The team also announced today that five coaches also have been released: 
>hitting coach Paul Molitor, bench coach Rene Lachemann, third base coach 
>Dave Myers, first base coach Mike Aldrete and bullpen coach Orlando Gomez. 
>Only pitching coach Bryan Price remains under contract through the 2005 
>season.
>
>It was the team's worst season since going 64-98 in 1992. The Mariners last 
>had a losing season in 1999, when they were 79-83. They had won at least 91 
>games every year since, and they tied an AL record by winning 116 games in 
>2001.
>
>Some of Seattle's biggest problems can't be attributed directly to Melvin.
>
>The Mariners ranked last in the American League in runs scored (857), RBIs 
>(658) and home runs (136). Injuries in the bullpen, most notably to 
>right-hander Rafael Soriano, didn't help.
>
>"The decision not to bring back Bob as Mariners' manager was a difficult 
>one,'' Bavasi said. "The players played hard through the final day of the 
>season. Bob and his coaches worked hard to win while trying to develop 
>young players during this season of transition.
>
>"But this decision is not meant to place blame completely on Bob. There is 
>plenty of blame to go around for all of us.''
>
>
>
>======================================================================
>
>TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE SEATTLE TIMES PRINT EDITION
>Call (206) 464-2121 or 1-800-542-0820, or go to
>https://read.nwsource.com/subscribe/times/
>
>HOW TO ADVERTISE WITH THE SEATTLE TIMES COMPANY ONLINE
>For information on advertising in this e-mail newsletter,
>or other online marketing platforms with The Seattle Times Company,
>call (206) 464-2361 or e-mail websales at seattletimes.com
>
>TO ADVERTISE IN THE SEATTLE TIMES PRINT EDITION
>Please go to http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/contactus/adsales
>for information.
>
>======================================================================
>For news updates throughout the day, visit http://www.seattletimes.com
>======================================================================
>
>             Copyright (c) 2004 The Seattle Times Company
>
>                         www.seattletimes.com
>                        Your Life. Your Times.

_________________________________________________________________
Don’t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! 
http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/