Don Wakamatsu to interview for Arizona Diamondbacks managerial job
Oct 30, 2016, 4:44 PM | Updated: Oct 31, 2016, 3:07 pm
Kansas City Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu talks to his players before Game 2 of baseball's World Series against the San Francisco Giants Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Kansas City Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu is scheduled to interview for the open Arizona Diamondbacks’ managerial job according to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball.com.
Wakamatsu has been the Royals bench coach since 2014, during that time the Royals snapped their 29-year playoff drought and won the World Series for the first time in 30 years. In addition to being the Royals’ bench coach, Wakamatsu also managed the Seatle Mariners from 2009 and most of 2010 before being fired after a 42-70 start. In his first season with the Mariners, he was 85-77.
The 53-year-old has ties to the Valley. Wakamatsu played his college ball under legendary head coach Jim Brock at Arizona State from 1982 to 1985. He was an All-Pac-10 selection at catcher in his final three years in Tempe and played in two College World Series in 1983 and 1984.
Wakamatsu joins a list of potential Diamondbacks managerial candidates including Alex Cora and Phil Nevin. However, Hayman reports that it appears that Torey Lovullo, who has strong ties to new general manager Mike Hazen is expected to be the favorite.
Besides the Diamondbacks, Wakamatsu is rumored to be tied to the open manager’s spot with the Colorado Rockies after Walt Weiss stepped down at the end of the season. The Rockies are also rumored to be interested in Tim Wallach, Glenallen Hill, Brad Mills, Bud Black, Dave Martinez and Sandy Alomar Jr.
