Wallach set to interview for Mariners' managerial job
Dodgers' third-base coach becomes fifth confirmed candidate to emerge in search
SEATTLE -- Tim Wallach is the newest name to emerge on the Mariners' managerial search list, as the Dodgers' third-base coach confirmed to MLB.com on Tuesday that he will meet with Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik this week.
Wallach, who is expected to interview on Thursday, becomes the fifth confirmed candidate for the opening created by Eric Wedge's departure. The 56-year-old already interviewed for the Tigers' vacancy as well.
Zduriencik is conducting preliminary interviews in Phoenix with a large group of candidates, possibly as many as 10-12, and will likely finish up that process this week, then bring several finalists to Seattle as early as next week.
The other candidates that are known to have talked with Zduriencik already are: A's bench coach Chip Hale, Padres bench coach Rick Renteria, Tigers hitting coach and former Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon, and Giants bench coach Ron Wotus.
Wallach was a five-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner as a third baseman for the Montreal Expos during a 17-year playing career from 1980-96 that included stints with the Dodgers and Angels.
He has been the Dodgers' third-base coach the past three seasons after managing the club's Triple-A team in Albuquerque to a 152-135 record in 2009-10. Wallach was the Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year in '09, when he also was named Baseball America's "Best Manager Prospect."
Wallach also served as the Dodgers' hitting coach from 2004-05, and previously coached and managed at the Class A level with two different Dodgers clubs, as well as spending a year coaching at his alma mater, Cal State Fullerton in '00.
Wallach was a career .257 hitter in the Major Leagues and racked up 2,085 hits, 260 home runs and 1,125 RBIs. He led the Majors in doubles in 1987 with 42 and won two Silver Slugger Awards before retiring in 1996.
The Dodgers drafted each of his three sons. One remains a catcher in the Dodgers' organization, another is pitching in the Cubs' system and the third is a catcher at Cal State Fullerton.