The New York Yankees coaching staff took a blow Friday when catching coach Tanner Swanson left to become the bench coach of his hometown Seattle Mariners , a source granted anonymity because they weren’t allowed to speak publicly on the matter …
In a move that has left Yankees fans clutching their pearls and Mariners fans doing a happy dance, Tanner Swanson is trading in his pinstripes for a fresh set of Mariners gear. Yes, you heard it right! The Yankees’ catching coordinator is heading west to become the new bench coach for the Seattle Mariners. Talk about a coastal transfer!
Swanson has been with the Yankees since November 2019, and let me tell you, he’s been quite the catch—pun absolutely intended. He played a pivotal role in enhancing the Yankees’ catcher framing abilities. For those of you who think ‘catcher framing’ sounds like a fancy term for an arts and crafts project, it’s actually a critical skill in baseball, helping pitchers get those all-important calls from umpires. So, you could say Swanson’s work was pretty much a home run.
Now, he’ll be swapping the Bronx for the Pacific Northwest to work under Mariners manager Jason Kanzler. You know, the guy whose name sounds like he’s either a very serious business executive or the star of a daytime soap opera. Either way, the Seattle Mariners are banking on Swanson to bring some of that Yankees magic to their bench.
But why would Swanson leave the Yankees, you ask? Well, it’s not every day a catching coordinator gets offered a promotion to bench coach! It’s like being the assistant to the regional manager and suddenly getting bumped up to regional manager. Who wouldn’t want that? Plus, the Mariners have been making some waves lately (pun again intended), and this could be a great opportunity for Swanson to establish himself in a new role and help a team that’s been searching for consistency.
For the Mariners, this is a strategic move. They’re looking to build a solid foundation, and having someone like Swanson, who’s already demonstrated expertise in improving player performance, could be the secret ingredient they need. Let’s face it, after years of being the lovable underdogs, the Mariners are ready to shake off that label and make a serious run for the playoffs. With Swanson’s help, maybe they can finally achieve that elusive winning season.
So, what’s next for the Mariners? Will they become the team to beat? Will Swanson become the next big thing in coaching? Only time will tell. For now, let’s raise a glass (or a baseball bat) to Tanner Swanson, the guy who’s jumped ship from the Yankees to the Mariners. May his journey be filled with successful framing calls, strategic decisions, and maybe a few light-hearted moments in the dugout. After all, isn’t that what baseball is all about? Cheers to new beginnings and a fresh start in Seattle!
Inspired by: “Mariners swipe longtime Yankees coordinator Tanner Swanson as bench coach” (r/Entertainment)