11/19/2008 - Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Seattle Mariners named former Oakland Athletics bench coach Don Wakamatsu their new manager on Wednesday.
The hiring was the first major decision for new Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik, the former Brewers executive who was hired in October. He tabbed Wakamatsu out of a pool of seven candidates, none of whom had major league managerial experience.
"When I started this process, there were some key attributes we were looking for," Zduriencik said. "We wanted energy, a passion and the skills to translate that passion to the players. We wanted leadership, a presence that could help us as we define the 'Mariners Way' to win. We wanted someone that both the community and the players could embrace. We wanted someone who sees the big picture and cares about the players and wants to win. Don embodies all of those traits."
Wakamatsu, 45, becomes the first Asian-American manager in MLB history. He just completed his first season as bench coach for the Athletics after spending five seasons on the coaching staff of the Texas Rangers.
"This is something I've looked forward to for a long time," Wakamatsu said. "It is a tremendous opportunity and I can't wait to get going with Jack and his group as we start working on the 2009 team."
Others considered for the job were White Sox third base coach Joey Cora, Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills, Diamondbacks third base coach Chip Hale, Triple-A Portland manager Randy Ready, Red Sox third base coach DeMarlo Hale and Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo.
A former catcher, Wakamatsu played with seven organizations over 12 seasons. His only stint in the majors came in 1991, when he played in 18 games with the Chicago White Sox, batting .226 with no homers or runs batted in.
Born in Hood River, Oregon, Wakamatsu grew up in Hayward, California, and played collegiately at Arizona State alongside Barry Bonds before the Cincinnati Reds selected him in the 11th round of the 1985 amateur draft.
Prior to joining the Rangers coaching staff, Wakamatsu spent three years in the Angels organization, managing in the Arizona League, and for Single-A High Desert, Double-A Erie, and Double-A El Paso. He compiled a managerial record of 215-248.
Wakamatsu will take over for interim manager Jim Riggleman, who had been the bench coach when manager John McLaren was fired in June, after less than a year at the helm. McLaren was shown the door after the Mariners, a team expected to contend in the AL West, started the season 25-47. Seattle finished the campaign 61-101, the worst record in the AL. The Mariners were the first club in major league history with a payroll of at least $100 million to lose 100 games.
McLaren's dismissal came three days after upper management fired general manager Bill Bavasi.
<< Red Sox ship Crisp to KC
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox have traded outfielder Coco
Crisp to the Kansas City Royals for right-handed reliever Ramon Ramirez.
The 29-year-old Crisp hit .283 last season with seven home runs, 41 RBI and 55
runs score
<< Bucs put RB Graham, LB Hayes on IR
Tampa, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed running back
Earnest Graham and rookie linebacker Geno Hayes on injured reserve Wednesday,
ending their seasons.
The Bucs also signed running back Noah Herron and linebac
<< Iverson and Pistons welcome King James to Motor City
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The first of many battles between Central Division rivals
Cleveland and Detroit is on tap this evening at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Wednesday's showdown between the Cavs and Pistons is the first of four
meetings during t
<< Mavs face banged-up Rockets in Houston
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Mavericks will try to extend their season high
winning streak to three games when they close out a three-game road trip
tonight against the Southwest Division-rival Houston Rockets.
Dallas is 2-0 so far on the t
Wolf Pack loan Murray to Charlotte >>
Hartford, CT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Hartford Wolf Pack loaned defenseman Chris
Murray to its ECHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, the American Hockey
League club announced.
A second-year pro out of the University of New Hampshire, Mu
Manning, Harrison, Washington selected for AFC weekly honors >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning,
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison and New York Jets return
specialist Leon Washington have been selected as the AFC's top players for
Week 11
Hill, Ross, Rackers earn NFC weekly honors >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - San Francisco 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill,
New York Giants cornerback Aaron Ross and Arizona Cardinals kicker Neil
Rackers have been selected as the NFC's top players for Week 11 of the NFL
season.
Line of Scrimmage: Week 12 - Sadly, Time for McNabb to Go >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Apparently, Donovan McNabb does not love
football the way some of us love football.
Those of us who fostered a love of the NFL at a young age or have, you know,
checked out the league standings in the news
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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value
If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture. Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).
For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot. The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.
TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.
"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,' it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."
"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.
Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash. Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win.
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