Mariners hiring Tanner Swanson, former Yankees coordinator, as bench coach for Jason Kanzler
The Seattle Times • • sports
Key Points:
- Jason Kanzler, the new Mariners manager, has made his first key hire by appointing Tanner Swanson, a Seattle native and former UW assistant coach, as his bench coach.
- Swanson, 44, brings extensive experience, having worked with the Yankees as a major-league coordinator and previously with the Twins as a minor-league catching coordinator, where he gained a reputation as a top catching instructor.
- He is known for popularizing the one-knee-down catching technique and founded "D1 Catching," a specialized coaching program for catchers.
- Swanson's deep Seattle roots include graduating from Cle Elum-Roslyn High School and connections to Northwest baseball through his late father, Jim Swanson, a notable figure in the region’s baseball history.
- After his contract with the Yankees expired, Swanson chose to return home to Seattle rather than renew, marking a significant move for the Mariners as they build their coaching staff under Kanzler.
