From chemistry teacher to Mariners manager: Kanzler’s wild ride

First impressions: What are your takeaways from Jason Kanzler’s introduction?

In case you missed it, the Mariners introduced manager Jason Kanzler in a press conference Wednesday afternoon at T-Mobile Park.

So begins another chapter for the team under the leadership of President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto.

Rate your enthusiasm for the new Mariners skipper.

After a roughly month-long search, the Mariners tapped Kanzler.

He has coached with the Astros and more recently served as the farm director for the Cubs.

He has never been a manager.

Some fans and critics of the team may have hoped for more of a known figure to head the clubhouse.

Neither of the first two managers under Dipoto had managerial experience either.

I admittedly haven’t formed a strong opinion on the hire.

A lot of this probably sources from lack of information on Kanzler.

Plus my own default belief that a manager only matters so much.

There also weren’t many names publicly considered.

One of those few withdrew their name from contention.

The early skepticism that the hire may evoke for some is largely understandable.

A 36-year-old with a unique background but lack of managerial experience is a pretty big question mark for a team that’s not only coming off a 76-win season.

That team is also desperate to take advantage of the core that’s taken them closer to a World Series than they’ve ever been.

That said, I went into viewing the introductory press conference with an open mind.

He’s the new manager, regardless of any opinion I might have before I ever see him leading the team from the top step.

Personally, the thing that struck me most from Kanzler’s first public appearance was his thoughtful answers to the questions from the media.

In LL’s Build-a-Manager piece, I talked about modern managers functioning as baseball’s version of a middle manager.

From this standpoint, a strong ability to communicate may be the single most essential trait for someone new to the role.

Whether it be relating with the players, working with the front office and coaching personnel to optimize in-game decisions, or speaking with the media, communication is always going to be at the forefront.

Kanzler, regardless of the level of success he will eventually find in Seattle, seems ready to excel in this aspect of the job.

Success on the field will need to accompany, of course.

Wednesday’s presser nonetheless marked a promising start to his tenure.

The full press conference is available online.

Who Is Jason Kanzler?

A few recent hires might have some fans asking, “Who are you?” and doing deep dives into their new managers’ backgrounds and experience.

Kanzler is continuing the trend of younger first-time managers.

He turned 36 on Aug. 20.

He joins Washington’s Blake Butera and Baltimore’s Craig Albarnaz in the major league managers under 40 club.

Kanzler spent the past three years as the Cubs’ Director of Player Development.

That is not a bad place to be.

The Cubs seemingly rebuilt successfully after breaking up their 2016 title team in a series of trades.

Those trades were highlighted by the acquisition of likely NL MVP Pete Crow-Armstrong from the Mets.

Before his time with the Cubs, Kanzler was a hitting coach for the 2022 Astros.

Those Astros ended the Mariners’ first playoff appearance since 2001 with a three-game sweep in the Division Series.

That series was decided on Jeremy Pena’s 18th-inning homer.

Kanzler won a World Series ring seven years after his pro career stalled in the minor leagues with the Minnesota Twins.

After a stint as a high school teacher, Kanzler went into coaching.

He was considered for a hitting coach role with the Mariners.

Kanzler is the third first-time manager hired by president of baseball operations Jerry DiPoto.

The difference is that he hired two former major leaguers, Scott Servais and Wilson.

Those two were longtime catchers.

They helped the Mariners achieve some of their best success since Lou Piniella ran the show.

How many first-time managers are there?

Not including the possibility of Morgan Ensberg or Albert Pujols getting the Astros job and without knowing who will be hired by the Angels, a majority of current managers are in their first jobs in the dugout.

There are 19 current managers in their first full-time managing job.

An unknown no longer, Jason Kanzler officially introduced to Mariners fans.

If you're a Mariners fan and didn't know who Jason Kanzler was before your favorite team hired him, you're not alone.

The 36-year old was relatively unknown outside the most locked-in baseball circles.

But just because his work was primarily behind the scenes, it doesn't mean it wasn't good.

In fact, he was great at player development, to the point where the Chicago Cubs promoted him to be the director of their entire farm system.