Seattle Mariners dismiss Scott Servais and appoint Dan Wilson as the new manager.
The Seattle Mariners’ shocking collapse has led to a leadership change, with Dan Wilson replacing Scott Servais as manager. The team also announced the dismissal of hitting coach Jarret DeHart on Thursday afternoon.
Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto stated, “We believe a new voice is needed in the clubhouse. Dan is familiar with our team and has been a vital part of our organization for the past 11 years, working with players at all levels. He is well respected both inside and outside the clubhouse, and we’re confident he will effectively lead our team in the final six weeks of the season and beyond.”
Dipoto expressed gratitude towards Servais for his nine seasons with the Mariners, noting, “He has dedicated his passion to the team and the community, and I know the entire Mariners organization appreciates his hard work.”
The Mariners have seen a significant decline, turning a 10-game lead in the American League West into a five-game deficit, threatening their postseason hopes for a franchise still seeking its first pennant. Under Servais, the Mariners’ strong pitching staff has often been let down by a struggling offense, which ranks among the lowest in the league.
Dan Wilson, a former player with the Mariners from 1994 to 2005, will step in as the new field manager. Though Wilson has no prior coaching or managerial experience at the big-league level, he has been a well-known presence around the team, serving as a special assignment coordinator during spring training and filling in as a broadcaster. He was inducted into the Mariners’ Hall of Fame in 2012.
“I appreciate the trust that Jerry, Justin, and the Mariners organization have placed in me,” Wilson said. “I’m excited to get to work. I believe this team is capable of playing great baseball and I look forward to collaborating with this group of players and coaches.”
Wilson takes over a team currently at 64-64, five games out of a playoff position, and on a three-game losing streak. This change adds pressure on Dipoto, who has been the general manager since September 2015. The Mariners will begin their next series on Friday against the San Francisco Giants in Seattle.
