Mariners name Zduriencik new GM

Oct 22, 2008 - 7:30 PM SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Jack Zduriencik, who spent the past nine seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, was named general manager of the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.

Hired by the Brewers as director of scouting in 1999, Zduriencik served as an assistant to the general manager in charge of scouting in 2006 and 2007.

Prior to the 2008 season, he was promoted to vice president for player personnel. The Brewers ended a 26-year playoff drought by winning the National League wild card but lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in four games in the Division Series.

"Jack is extremely well-respected throughout baseball," Mariners chief executive officer Howard Lincoln said. "His track record in recognizing and developing young talent in Milwaukee was instrumental in the Brewers' steady improvement over the past several seasons."

However, the 57-year-old Zduriencik faces a major reclamation project in Seattle. The Mariners are coming off a 61-101 season - the second-worst record in the major leagues.

He succeeds Lee Pelekoudas, who took over as interim general manager on June 16 after Bill Bavasi was fired.

"Seattle is an outstanding organization with great fans, a great ballpark and an ownership group committed to the goal of bringing a World Series to the Northwest," Zduriencik said. "I believe that working together, we can make the Mariners a model franchise."

The Mariners began 2008 with high expectations following the acquisitions of pitchers Erik Bedard and Carlos Silva. But the year deteriorated into Seattle's worst season since the franchise's infancy in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Seattle has finished above .500 only once since winning 116 games in 2003. The Mariners posted a surprising 88-74 record in 2007 and contended for a playoff spot before fading in September.

"We believe Jack is the right person to provide a new approach and to lead our baseball operations," Seattle president Chuck Armstrong said. "He has a proven track record of recognizing talent, both on the field and in the front office."

Zduriencik comes to Seattle with 25 years of experience in Major League Baseball. He also has worked for the New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers.