The Mariners "have decided to promote" team Exec VP/Finance & Ballpark Operations Kevin Mather to replace outgoing President & COO Chuck Armstrong, according to Ryan Divish of the SEATTLE TIMES. Mariners Senior VP/Communications Randy Adamack said, "We're not ready to announce anything." The move "comes as really no surprise and had been predicted by several people." Most Mariners fans "wanted the club to hire former Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa, who was linked to the job in a story a few weeks ago." Mather has "been a part of the organization" since coming to the Mariners from the Twins in '96. But to say that he "will be exactly the same as Armstrong or have no new ideas to bring to the positions seems a bit shortsighted" (SEATTLETIMES.com, 1/23). MLB.com's Hal Bodley wrote, "As Armstrong prepares for retirement, it's difficult to picture the Mariners without him," as he is "one of the most respected club presidents" in MLB. Armstrong is 71 and said that the "recent passing of three close friends told him it was time" to retire. He added, "It was a difficult decision for me, but the right one at the same time." Armstrong has "been president of the Mariners for more than 28 of their 37 years of existence, and for the past 21 seasons." He said, "I lament we've never been to the World Series." MLB Commissioner Bud Selig "is a huge Armstrong fan." Selig: "He is such a great baseball man. He was one of the key leaders who secured our national pastime's future in the Pacific Northwest. He guided the Mariners as they became a model franchise in a wonderful ballpark" (MLB.com, 1/23).
