Don Wakamatsu

From BR Bullpen

Wilbur Donald Wakamatsu

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 2", Weight 200 lb.
School Arizona State University
Debut May 22, 1991
Final Game October 5, 1991
Born February 22, 1963 in Hood River, OR USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Catcher Don Wakamatsu got all nine of his big league starts with the Chicago White Sox when knuckleballer Charlie Hough pitched. After a twelve year minor league career ended, he spent four seasons as a minor league manager. He was the Texas Rangers bench coach from 2003 to 2006 and was a candidate to replace Buck Showalter as skipper after his dismissal. Instead, Showalter was replaced by Ron Washington and Wakamatsu became the club's third base coach. In 2008 he moved to the Oakland A's as bench coach.

On November 18, 2008, he was named the Seattle Mariners manager for the 2009 season. He is the first Asian-American manager in major league history. Don's Japanese-American grandparents were in an internment camp during World War II. His mother is of Irish descent.

Preceded by
Jim Riggleman

Seattle Mariners Manager
2009

Succeeded by
current

[edit] Year-By-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs	Notes
1997	AZL Diamondbacks	Arizona League	27-29	4th	Arizona Diamondbacks	none	shared position with Brian Butterfield
1998	High Desert Mavericks	California League	82-58	2nd	Arizona Diamondbacks	Lost in 2nd round
1999	El Paso Diablos	Texas League	64-76	7th	Arizona Diamondbacks
2000	Erie Sea Wolves	Eastern League	47-94	12th	Anaheim Angels

2009	Seattle Mariners	American League	85-77	3rd	Seattle Mariners