Mariners name Trent Jewett bench coach

Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik and Manager Lloyd McClendon announced today that the club has hired Trent Jewett as Bench Coach.

Jewett, 49, has spent the last three seasons on the Washington Nationals coaching staff. He was the Nationals third base coach in 2013 and prior to that spent one-and-a-half seasons as the first base coach. Jewett was a Major League coach for the Nationals prior to moving into the first base coaches box on July 1, 2011.

"We are very excited to add an excellent baseball man like Trent to our staff," said Zduriencik. "Trent's extensive background as a minor league manager, instructor, Major League coach and his 27 years of baseball experience make him a well-rounded fit for this position. We are looking forward to Trent's contributions as he joins our organization."

The native of Dallas, Texas will be entering his 27th season in professional baseball, and his seventh season as an MLB coach. Prior to joining the Nationals organization in 2009, Jewett spent his entire career as a player, coach and minor league manager in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He served as Pittsburgh's third base coach from midway through the 2000 season through the 2002 campaign, including the 2001-2002 seasons with McClendon as the Pirates manager.

"I am looking forward to getting the chance to work with Trent again," said McClendon. "We go back a ways as he was on my coaching staff in Pittsburgh, and we have a very trusting relationship."

During his 17 seasons as a minor league manager, Jewett compiled a 1,178-1,165 record for a .503 winning percentage. He managed 12 of his 17 seasons at the Triple-A level, and in 2007 was selected by Baseball America as the International League's "Best Manager Prospect."

Jewett spent four seasons as a catcher in the Pirates minor league system after signing with the organization in 1987 out of the University of North Texas.