McClendon posted a 163-161 record in two years in Seattle, including an 87-75 mark in 2014 that was the Mariners' first winning season since '09. But after falling one game shy of an American League Wild Card spot last year and raising expectations for a playoff push in '15, the Mariners went 76-86 this year and finished fourth in the AL West.
Lou Piniella is the only other Mariners manager to have a winning mark over the course of his career in Seattle, going 840-711 (.542) from 1993-2002.
Dipoto, who was hired two weeks ago to replace Jack Zduriencik, spent time getting to know McClendon since his arrival in Seattle, but apparently has decided to go a different direction.