A problem with previous Mariners managers–particularly a guy whose name rhymes with McLaren–has been a tendency to kowtow to veteran players. Well, apparently new M’s skipper Don Wakamatsu is serving notice that kowtow he won’t.Yesterday he had Ichiro hit 3rd in the batting order, something the mononymous star had previously said he was disinclined to do. USS Mariner points to this as a good sign for Ken Griffey Jr.’s prospects in left field, or lack thereof, noting that Wakamatsu says he wants his players to be ready to accommodate his requests.If Wakamatsu wants to prove he’ll make Griffey DH, shouldn’t he just make Griffey DH? After all, hitting Ichiro 3rd makes pretty much zero sense with the M’s current team (or just about any team in baseball). But maybe jerking him around is the equivalent of shanking the biggest, baddest dude on your first day in the pen.They fear you, Don W. Now go and use your shiv for good.