New Mariners skipper Don Wakamatsu spent his only days in the Major Leagues as a player with the White Sox in 1991, but he's had a successful career as a coach and Minor League manager.

New Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik has been on the job less than a month, but he's already putting his stamp on the team, none more so than Wednesday's hiring of new skipper Don Wakamatsu, who will bring a new approach to the team.

Don Wakamatsu, the 45-year-old former Major League player and baseball lifer, was introduced in a press conference at Safeco Field on Wednesday afternoon as the Mariners' new manager. Wakamatsu is the first Asian-American manager in Major League history.

Like many skippers before him, Don Wakamatsu is a former catcher who spent little time in the big leagues. What separates Wakamatsu from all others, however, is his distinction as the first Asian-American Major League manager.

New Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu joined a long list of Seattle managers, as he became the 14th manager in franchise history when he was hired Wednesday.

The new manager of the Mariners will be revealed Wednesday at Safeco Field, and multiple sources are reporting that it's Don Wakamatsu.

The 2008 Mariners finished fourth in the four-team American League West, but two of their players nonetheless got a little love in the AL MVP balloting.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said he may name the club's new manager by as early as Wednesday.

How's Erik Bedard doing? Will young outfielder Greg Halman make the jump to the big leagues? Beat reporter Jim Street answers in this week's mailbag.