For the first time in 37 years, former Toronto Blue Jays third-base coach John McLaren, right, is getting a chance to run his own major-league team, the Seattle Mariners. (Ted S. Warren/Associated Press)

With his Seattle Mariners in the throes of a losing streak, manager John McLaren recalls a visit with his predecessor, Mike Hargrove.

"He told me I was doing a great job and he follows the team closely," McLaren, who was promoted from bench coach on July 1, told CBCSports.ca. "He brought me over here [this season from Tampa Bay]. I enjoyed working with him. Seeing him smile made me feel good."

Even the tough times in the world of baseball can't bring down McLaren — the former Toronto Blue Jays third-base coach — who described his first major league managerial job after 37 years in the game as "an all-time high."

However, the first 24 to 36 hours of McLaren's tenure would best be described as an emotional roller coaster.

Hargrove shocked Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi and others with his sudden resignation after three-plus seasons at the helm, saying his "passion has begun to fade."

"You're supposed to have a press conference, go out to dinner with friends and family and have champagne," said McLaren, 55, who had rotator cuff surgery on his right shoulder two days earlier.

"There was no jubilation and I had to get the team in a mental state to play that day [against Toronto]. We were all in shock."

Mike Hargrove, right, stunned the entire Mariners organization with his resignation on July 1. Former bench coach John McLaren took over the manager's duties. (Kevin P. Casey/Associated Press)

But it was the opportunity McLaren, an employee of the Blue Jays since Day 1 in 1976, had been waiting and looking for.

At 25, the former catcher became one of former Blue Jays executive Pat Gillick's first hires, brought aboard to coach at class-A Utica — one of Toronto's two farm teams — in its inaugural 1977 season.

McLaren was also a scout and minor league manager in his 14 years with the Jays organization after playing seven minor-league seasons in the Houston Astros' system.

"I remember [former Blue Jays president] Peter Bavasi saying we'll start from the ground floor and grow together," McLaren told Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun in July.

Warm memories of Toronto

"I close my eyes and have warm thoughts about working for the Jays. I think of the fans, ownership, Exhibition Stadium, the SkyDome [now Rogers Centre]. It was total family."

McLaren said that atmosphere exists in Seattle, where he first coached from 1993-2002 under former manager Lou Piniella, following stints as bullpen coach in Boston and Cincinnati.

"I was with Lou for 14 years [also in Cincinnati and Tampa Bay]. He is a great friend and we had a wonderful ride," said McLaren, who had an offer to join Piniella with the Chicago Cubs this season but chose to serve as Hargrove's lieutenant.

Gillick told the Seattle Times that McLaren made the right call in separating from Piniella.

Perhaps it was time for McLaren to prove he could survive in the majors without the fiery Piniella by his side.

"I'm not anyone's Bobo. I was his right-hand man," McLaren told CBCSports.ca of his relationship with Piniella. "He trusted me and I always gave him an honest answer. I was [on his coaching staff] because I did a good job, not because I was his 'yes guy.'"

McLaren has done a decent job with the Mariners, posting a 30-35 record and keeping the streaky team within 6 1/2 games of the New York Yankees in the American League wild-card race through Sept. 11.

But being a big-league manager has its challenges, McLaren said, such as enduring losing streaks and handling the intricacies of the Mariners' pitching staff.

"We have a great group with a lot of veterans, so motivation has never been something to worry about," said McLaren, who has managed in the winter leagues in Colombia and Venezuela. "We have some youth, but the veteran players have steered them in the right direction."

He admitted he has overworked Seattle's bullpen out of necessity, "but we're trying to win games."

McLaren, who lives with his wife Maria in Peoria, Ariz., said he prides himself on being the same person every day and treating each player the same.

A player's manager

That approach seems to be sitting well in the Mariners clubhouse, where McLaren can often be found encouraging his players, meeting with them and cracking a few jokes.

"It was a tough situation he was brought into," relief pitcher Chris Reitsma of Calgary told CBCSports.ca during Seattle's recent visit to Toronto. "He had to take care of himself and the coaching staff.

"I think he's the right personality for this club."

Mariners left-fielder Raul Ibanez added McLaren has made a seamless transition to managing.

"He had already developed a good relationship with the players [as bench coach]," Ibanez said. "He is well respected by the veteran guys and everyone, really. He knows how to delegate authority and that's an important part of being in charge."

And you don't have to tell McLaren how blessed he is running a playoff contender.

"A lot of managers start off rebuilding, but I jumped into a winning situation," he said. "Managing a contending team, I try not to let that overwhelm me, but it's pretty cool."

The Mariners have lifted the "interim" tag off their manager, something that meant a lot to McLaren. "All I can ask for is an opportunity."

So, is anything less than the AL wild card a disappointment after just three months on the job?

"I don't want to put that pressure on myself," said McLaren. "I'm confident we'll be in this [playoff race] the whole way.

"I'm proud of the way we play the game. We hustle, we have talent and play hard every night. I get total effort [from the players]."

That's why McLaren can't stop smiling.