After losing eight of their last nine games, the Seattle Mariners decided to fire manager Scott Servais on Thursday. In addition to Servais, the Mariners also fired hitting coach Jarret DeHart. Dan Wilson, a former catcher who is in the Mariners Hall of Fame, will become Seattle's 21st manager in franchise history.
"We believe that we need a new voice in the clubhouse," Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said. "Dan knows our team and has been a key member of our organization working with players at every level over the past 11 years. He is well respected within and outside of our clubhouse and we are confident he will do a great job in leading our group over the final six weeks of the season and moving forward."
Servais was in his ninth season with the Mariners, making him the second-longest-tenured manager with the same team, along with Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers and behind Kevin Cash of the Tampa Bay Rays. He had a 680-642 record, making him the second-winningest manager in team history behind Lou Piniella. In 2022 he led the Mariners to their first playoff appearance in two decades.
The firings of Servais and DeHart were good moves by the Mariners since they have been in a downward spiral for the last two months. Seattle ranks last in batting average, hitting just .216. The Mariners also rank last or next to last in hits, doubles, total bases, and slugging percentage. The poor offensive performance has led the Mariners to go 20-32 since June 19 when they had a 10-game lead in the American League West. Now Seattle is five games behind the Houston Astros in the division race and seven and a half games out of the final wild-card spot.
Wilson hasn't been a manager or part of the coaching staff at any level of baseball. Expect the Mariners' struggles to continue because of that, and they won't make the playoffs again this year.
Cover Image via The Athletic
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