PEORIA, Ariz. -- Jerry Dipoto can handle a challenge.
And he definitely has one ahead of him in Seattle, after being hired as general manager of the Mariners last September.
The Mariners, created out of expansion in 1977, are one of only two active franchises to never appear in a World Series (Expos/Nationals). Every team in baseball has been involved in the postseason at least once since the Mariners last appeared in 2001.
When Scott Servais fills out the lineup card on Opening Day, he will become the ninth man to manage the Mariners since Lou Piniella was traded following the 2002 season to the then-Tampa Bay Devil Rays.