Former manager, Don Wakamatsu joins the Toronto Blue Jays
Former Seattle Mariners manager, Don Wakamatsu, has been hired as the bench coach for the Toronto Blue Jays and in 2011 he will be playing a big part in the moulding and structuring of the batting and pitching order within the club house and the dugout.
The former skipper was included in the list finalized by the new Manager of the ballclub, John Farrell. The new gaffer comes in after Cito Gaston retired last year, during the regular season. The new opening in the club was filled out immediately and in accordance
to facilitate the current management, a strong backup list of coaches had to come through, paving the way for Wakamatsu’s selection.
On the other hand, Toronto’s first Cy Young Award winner, Pet Hengten will come in to the club as the new bullpen coach. The former ace player was a special advisor to the top tier management, back in the last season. In addition to that, he represented
the ball club as a team ambassador during the following years. The move is another indication of a strengthening initiative placed by the team to facilitate John Farrell in making comfortable decisions during the coming series.
Another addition to the coaching staff comes in the form of Torey Louvullo who has been a manager of the triple A league team, Pawtucket – Red Sox. The former skipper comes in with a lot of experience and many will hope the man will be able to contribute
to the existing hitters in the squad. His role at the club has been identified to be a first base coach.
Pitching Coach, Bruce Walton, will return to his old post as the supervision of the pitching squad has derived countless benefits to the side that has been under tough competition against the top crop teams in the American League East. In addition, third
base coach Brian Butterfield will retain his role as well. Hitting coach Dwayne Murphy has also come back in his role as the team will be looking to work more on the tactical and bullpen weaknesses of the club, in the next season.
Don Wakamatsu has done well in his career, so far. He came to the forum of Major League Baseball in 2003 and till 2006, he was the bench coach. In 2008 he became the manager of the Seattle Mariners. That marked the first time any Asian American became a
skipper in the majors.
Tags: