Report: Mariners interviewed former big-league C Dave Valle for manager's job

Add former big-league catcher Dave Valle to the list of contenders for the Mariners' managerial opening. Seattle interviewed Valle this week, reports Sports Illustrated's Ted Keith. 

Keith writes:

"Valle, like Mike Matheny when he was hired by St. Louis prior to the 2012 season, has no managerial or coaching experience but is well-known and regarded by the organization.

"Valle, 53, was drafted by Seattle in 1978, played 10 seasons with the Mariners before playing three more years with Boston, Milwaukee and Texas and has worked several seasons as a Mariners broadcaster. Valle hit .237 in 970 games overall while gaining a reputation as an excellent defensive catcher with strong leadership skills — a playing profile similar to that of Matheny. Under Matheny, the Cardinals reached the National League Championship Series in 2012 and the World Series this year."

If Matheny, a former big-league catcher with no managerial experience, can lead the St. Louis Cardinals -- who are baseball's best team at developing talent -- to the World Series, the same can obviously happen with Valle in Seattle. Duh.