NewsBrumley hired as third-base coach
Former Mariners shortstop will return to SeattleBy Jim Street / MLB.com
10/30/09 8:55 PM ET
Former Mariners shortstop Mike Brumley is returning to Seattle -- as the team's third-base coach.He replaces Bruce Hines, the only coach on manager Don Wakamatsu's coaching staff last season not invited back for the 2010 campaign.
"Wak and I have had kind of a long-running working relationship over the last 12 years," Brumley said. "We worked together in Arizona and again in Anaheim and share a lot of the same ideas and philosophies."
Brumley, who played for the Mariners in 1990, joins a coaching staff that includes bench coach Ty Van Burkleo, pitching coach Rick Adair, hitting coach Alan Cockrell, first-base coach Lee Tinsley, bullpen coach John Wetteland and performance coach Steve Hecht.
"We talked to candidates inside and outside the organization," general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a release, "and Mike will be a great fit for us. He's had experience as a Major League shortstop, a Minor League manager and third-base coach and as a Minor League field coordinator."
Brumley played parts of eight seasons in the Majors, including the short stint with the Mariners. He also appeared in the big leagues with the Cubs (1987), Tigers ('88), Red Sox (1991-92), Astros (1993, '95) and Athletics ('94). In all, he appeared in 295 games. His father, Mike, played parts of three seasons with the Washington Senators (1964-66).
"I have had the opportunity to work with Mike in the past and know first-hand of his passion for winning and skill as a teacher," Wakamatsu said. "He will be a good fit on our staff."
Brumley spent the 2009 season as the Dodgers' Minor League field coordinator, overseeing all aspects of instruction in the Dodgers' Minor League system, and would have returned to that position if the Mariners job had not opened.
"The timing was right for this, and we were able to make it happen," Brumley said.
Besides coaching third, he will be the infield instructor and also assist Tinsley with baserunning coaching duties.
Prior to last season, Brumley was assistant field coordinator and managed Ogden (Pioneer League) in 2008.
Before joining the Dodgers, the former utility infielder/outfielder served as the Rangers' field coordinator from 2005-07, and was a Minor League manager in the Angels organization from 2001-04, including spending his past three seasons as manager at Triple-A Salt Lake.
Brumley played in 62 games for the Mariners in 1990, batting .224 (33-for-147) with seven RBIs.
"The two things I remember most about that season were the back-to-back home runs by the Griffeys (Senior and Junior) against the Angels in Anaheim and Brian Holman's almost perfect game against the Athletics," he said.
Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
