Jason Kanzler shares what to expect from him as Mariners manager

There was some mystique to Jason Kanzler from the time his name first came up in the Seattle Mariners’ manager search. And even after he was hired on Tuesday, not a whole lot had come out about exactly who the club’s next skipper was.

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But on Wednesday, the city and the Mariners’ fan base got their first introduction to the 22nd skipper in club history.

For those wondering what Kanzler will be like as a first-time manager, the 36-year-old former Chicago Cubs director of player of development and ex-Houston Astros assistant hitting coach revealed some what they can expect to see during his first conversation on the Seattle Sports’ airwaves with Wyman and Bob.

Kanzler had the chance to coach underneath the likes of Dusty Baker and AJ Hinch – a pair of World Series-winning managers – during his time with Houston and be around a three-time manager of the year runner-up in Craig Counsell during his time in Chicago. Kanzler said he expects to blend together what he pulled from those experiences and others throughout his baseball career to shape who he is as a manager.

“I think I will be borrowing from many people that I’ve crossed paths with throughout my life,” he said. “I got to be in Dusty Baker’s dugout under his tutelage and under his guidance. So, he’s obviously someone that I’m going to draw from. I’ve seen AJ Hinch work, I’ve seen Craig Counsell work, and I’ve watched the game and I’ve seen other managers and how they do things. I think really ultimately I’m going to develop my own unique style to this, but the ultimate goal is to get the most out of the players and win the most games that we can. So, part of my style will be adaptability to make sure that that happens.”

Kanzler also revealed there could be some shades of legendary M’s skipper Lou Piniella to his managing style.

“I will almost assuredly get tossed. I’m not planning to do it on purpose, but it will probably happen,” Kanzler said. “I had a poor habit as a minor league player of getting tossed every now and then – and (as) a minor league coach. I’m sure it’ll happen. I’ll pick my spots. I’m not going to make a fool of myself or of this city, or I’m not going to make an embarrassment of the game, but there are appropriate times to stand up for your guys and stand up for what you need to.”

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As for what Kanzler sees as the biggest challenge he will face as a first-time manager?

“Actually making the decisions in game, actually (being) under time pressure having to do these things,” he said. “So, I have a lot of work to do between right now and when the season starts to make sure I’m the most prepared I can possibly be, because I’m gonna hold myself to a very high standard. I want to make the best decisions. I want to put the best people in the best situations to perform and succeed. That’s my job. That’s my role. And I’m going to take it extremely seriously.”

Hear the full conversation at this link or watch the video at the top of this post. Listen to Wyman and Bob weekdays from 2-7 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app. 

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