"What makes me want to do that is it's been 16 years [17 actually] since I coached in the major leagues," Hines said. "So, I've been preparing for this job for 16 years."

Hines added: "Everybody who's passionate about what they do should get a chance to prove they can do it at the pinnacle of their position."

He'll now get that chance. His father, Ben, was a coach with the Mariners in 1984, though better-known as a longtime hitting instructor with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"It just shows you how the world is pretty small in Baseball," Hines said.

Hines is the latest Mariners coach to have past experience within the Angels organization. Bench coach Ty Van Burkleo also put in time there, as did Wakamatsu.

"The strongest team in our division is Anaheim, and there's a reason for it," Wakamatsu said.

Hines was still employed as a minor-league field coordinator with the Angels and could not approach Wakamatsu directly when he began putting a staff together. He'd watched his old pal on television during his introductory media conference in Seattle and wondered whether he'd be offered anything.

But then, Van Burkleo phoned to tell him he was being considered.

"His name just kept coming back to us," Wakamatsu said.

Finally, Hines was offered the job. He says his prime task will be "to try to give these guys an understanding of how to win and how to play good, fundamental Baseball."

If he succeeds at that, he might not have to wait as long for his next major-league coaching offer.

Geoff Baker: 206-464-8286 or gbaker@seattletimes.com