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Mariners hire McClendon as manager

Eight years removed from his lone managerial stint, Lloyd McClendon is getting a second chance.

The Seattle Mariners hired McClendon as their manager Tuesday.

"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to manage the Seattle Mariners," McClendon said in a statement. "Seattle has a tremendous group of talented players and the fans and city should be excited about the club's future. I'm looking for this group to take a big step forward."

McClendon, 54, managed the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2001 through most of the 2005 season, compiling a 336-446 record. His clubs never finished higher than fourth place in the National League Central.

The past seven years, McClendon served as the Detroit Tigers' hitting coach. He was Detroit's bullpen coach in 2006.

"Lloyd is a bright and articulate guy," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a statement. "He has major league managerial experience and he has served in a vital capacity in Detroit under one of the game's best managers. He is a tireless worker and is very respected by the players with whom he has worked. We look forward to Lloyd embracing our players as we move the Mariners forward."

McClendon takes over for Eric Wedge, who parted ways with the Mariners following a 70-89 season. Wedge missed a portion of the 2013 season after sustaining a mild stroke. He guided Seattle for three years, posting losing records each season and a 213-273 record overall.

Jim Leyland, McClendon's longtime boss in Detroit, retired as the Tigers' manager following the American League Championship Series. McClendon interviewed for the job, but Detroit ultimately hired Brad Ausmus, who has no major league managerial experience.

McClendon played eight seasons in the big leagues, for the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs and Pirates, mostly as an outfielder. He batted .244 with a .325 on-base percentage, a .381 slugging percentage, 35 homers and 154 RBIs in 570 games.

Others who were up for the Mariners' managerial job included Oakland A's bench coach Chip Hale, San Francisco Giants bench coach Ron Wotus, San Diego Padres bench coach Rick Renteria, Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Tim Wallach and former Mariners catcher Dave Valle, according to media reports.

The Chicago Cubs have baseball's last remaining managerial opening.