Originally published June 9, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified June 9, 2008 at 2:47 PM
E-mail article
Print viewMariners fire hitting coach Jeff Pentland
The Mariners fired hitting coach Jeff Pentland today, replacing him with Lee Elia, who was on the Mariners' staff as a special assistant to manager John McLaren.
Seattle Times staff reporter
The Mariners' prolonged slump took its first major victim Monday when hitting coach Jeff Pentland was fired and replaced by Lee Elia.
Pentland, 61, was in his third full season as Mariners' hitting coach. The Mariners rank 13th in the American League in batting average (.248) and slugging percentage (.377) and last in on-base percentage (.305).
"Jeff has an excellent and proven track record, and those of us who have worked with him are well aware he knows hitting," Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi said in a news release issued by the club. "Unfortunately, we have consistently, and for an extended period, underperformed at the plate and we are hopeful that a different voice might help the situation."
Elia,70, has served this season as a special assistant to manager John McLaren. He is a former major-league manager (Cubs and Phillies), and was the Mariners' hitting coach from 1993-97 under Lou Piniella.
Elia will take over his new position tonight when the Mariners open a three-game series in Toronto against the Blue Jays.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
E-mail article
Print view
Digg
Newsvine
Mariners to try Dustin Ackley at second base
Vizquel close to signing contract with White Sox
Tracy, Scioscia win Manager of the Year awards
Former Mariners manager John McLaren is glad to be back in the dugout
Scioscia, Tracy named managers of the year
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection
Interview with New Moon actors
Full interview with New Moon actors
Artistic Roller Skating
Girls Soccer: Mercer Island vs. Glacier Peak
Smash Putt! Miniature Golf
Opening day at Crystal Mountain
nwjobs
Post a comment
Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
Open Houses | Find this weekend's open house listings.  Or search by location: |
- Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred
- Man shot in chest on E. Union Street in Capitol Hill
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
- Mariners Blog | A Mariners-Tigers swap makes a whole lot of sense for both teams
- Italian prosecutors request life sentence for UW student
- Craigslist adoption ad: A plea by young mother-to-be? A scam?
- Mariners to try Dustin Ackley at second base
- Mariners Blog | Dustin Ackley to move to second base; Mariners add six to 40-man roster
- Genetics anti-bias law takes effect
- Senate vote clears hurdle
194 - First key vote today on Senate health bill 166
- Mariners add six to 40-man roster 140
- Man shot in Capitol Hill 91
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again 87
- Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred 73
- Saturday links 50
- Bye week answers, volume four 49
- Prosecutor requests life in prison for Amanda Knox 43
- Historic health care bill nears key Senate vote 37
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Nonprofits get creative using Twitter and Facebook to make donation easier
- Great places to cross-country ski for free (or almost) in the Methow
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- UW provost tapped for Nike's board
- 175 foster kids in Washington get 'forever families'
- Recipes: Sesame Pork Roast, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce and more
- BofA moves to take control of Mastro building in Fremont
- Food-bank donations pour in after theft in Rainier Valley
