Dan Wilson on the #Mariners 2025 Season | Seattle Sports

kind of process, how everything played out in those final games in Toronto. Um, you know, I think, uh, you know, like I told the team after the game, it’s it it does stay and, um, you know, I’m not sure how long this thing is going to last. I think for a lot of us, um, you know, it’s a tough way to go out and it’s a tough way to to end a pretty, you know, outstanding season. Um, and in some ways overshadows a lot of the the positives that have happened. Um but uh you know it’s just uh um it doesn’t seem fitting that the way these guys played, how hard they played, how well they played um you know the fight that they had the entire season and I think that’s the toughest part and that’s the part that stings and um you know I can’t say enough about the support that you know just running into people the texts that you receive um just uh you know how appreciative people have been of of the season and and uh you know and in some ways that makes the thing a little bit more but um you know I think uh it’s it it’s a tough one. It’s going to take some time but um at the same time a lot of great things have happened. Do you find yourself second guessing anything that played out? I mean um you know I think as a manager you you have to make decisions and and uh you know um in terms of if it’s you know whether it’s the bizardo one um you know We have a good process in place and and uh you know but managers have to wear decisions one way or the other and and uh and I think that that adds to this thing as well. What was the plane flight home like? Um, quiet, you know, uh, very quiet and and, uh, you know, I think, uh, seeing some guys here over the last couple days as they’ve kind of packed up. Um, you know, I think, um, as a player, uh, you know, those are always tough tough flights home and and tough times to pack up. Um, you know, but, uh, at the same time, I, you know, I hope they feel really proud of of what they’ve been able to accomplish here and and, uh, you know, it incredible step forward. I think getting experience um in a playoff situation in a game seven, those things really help as as you go forward and our guys getting a chance to to experience that here um you know is will only help us going forward. You mentioned it being a step forward. How do you ensure it’s not just an aberration that this is a group that can have sustained success? Yeah, I mean we get to work and and uh you know we start uh you know moving forward and um you know that that will start here very quickly and and uh um you know I think uh we’ve got as we’ve talked about just an incredible group in that clubhouse and uh you know trying to keep as many of us together as possible I think is going to be huge and and uh it’s a group that has great chemistry. They play together very well. Um you know like I’ve said I’ve used the word love. they love each other a lot and and uh um you know that that is is really um can can carry you a long way and so um you know being able to to hold on to guys keep the core together um add pieces where we need you know all those kinds of things um you know we’ll get to work and and uh you know Jerry and Justin obviously uh with the job they have done this season and and getting the pieces you know in place um you know they they’ve they’ve been doing this a long time and uh so we’ll get to work right away. Dan, what was kind I assume you saw Cal’s comments when he says, you know, after the game, you know, it’s a failure, we didn’t get where we wanted to go. Um, all those sorts of things. How do you kind of take comments like that when he wants to keep the bar set as high as it possibly can be and kind of knowing that as great a season as this has, it didn’t get you guys where you wanted to go and kind of how you kind of use that as um kind of a northstar to kind of chase. Yeah. Uh, you know, no doubt. I think um you know that’s that’s what makes this group so special um is is just that desire that they have and and we all want to be playing tomorrow night in in LA and that’s uh that’s what’s difficult to swallow. Um but you know again what’s in that clubhouse is is determined and and you know they’re they’re not satisfied and uh I think that’s that says that speaks volumes and and when you look at the year he has had and um you know in some ways it’s you don’t want him to feel like it was a failure year, but um you know, it’s it’s coming from a place of of wanting to win as a team. And that’s really been the I think the the motivator for Cal all season long was wanting this team to win and and uh so understandable how how that felt at the moment and and uh you know, and that’s just the incentive going forward. You know, last year we watched Houston celebrate on on on their field last year and and uh you know, that doesn’t feel good and and uh so that that can also be a driver as you go forward. That’s that’s motivation to um you know to to get where we want to go and and ultimately that’s that was our goal this year. We didn’t quite get there. Um and that will be our goal next year. When you look at his season, what I guess in the totality of it, what jumps out the most to you is what he did? Um it it’s I I think for me just the durability that he had. you know, I think if there’s one word to describe that year, it’s his his durability. Um, you know, to to put up the numbers he did uh as consistently see as he did from beginning to end, to catch as much as he did, to block balls as much as he had to this year. Like all that, you look at all that and um it takes a special person to be able to to not only withstand that physically but mentally as well. and and uh I think to me just how durable he was and and how he was consistent throughout the entire season at the position he is at that’s a that’s a really difficult thing to do and he did it and and did it extremely well. Dan, when you how do you kind of look at your rotations efforts throughout the year? There was obviously a lot of injuries through that group that each of them peaked in different moments and had their stuff here and not there. And kind of how what do you kind of make of that group as a whole and kind of how it performed through the playoffs and all that? Yeah. Um, you know, I think you can’t talk about our rotation, you know, without talking about a couple of guys that stepped up, you know, in terms of, you know, uh, you look at Logan Evans, you look at Emerson Hancock, and as early on in the season with George down, uh, you know, those guys really stepped up and and filled a big role for us. Uh, and then, you know, our guys, you know, injuries are going to happen as part of the game. U, but I thought our guys did a really good job of coming back and and, uh, you know, getting back to the form that that they were used to. And um you know, George ending on on such a good note. I think Brian Woo coming back there at the end as well. What a season for him. Um you know, just uh kind of taking a step forward in his career and where he’s at. Um you know, and and uh Logan going through what he did for the first time and then being able to bounce back from that. So obviously you want your starters to be healthy all season long and and uh that’s pretty rare uh in the game today. Um, but uh, you know, I think these guys did a great job getting back and and, uh, getting back to where they are comfortable being and and, uh, you know, I think that that bodess well for next year because that’s that’s a big part of what we do. That’s where our consistency comes from is our pitching and and you know, those guys are that are the reason for it. I know it just ended, but do you anticipate any staff changes on your coaching staff? Um, not much. You know, it’s a uh it’s a great staff. Um and uh you know, I think as good as the chemistry is in the clubhouse, I think we have this a similar chemistry in the coaching staff and um you know, it’s I can’t say enough about the job they have done and continue to do. Uh can’t do it without them at all. I mean, these guys are are very good and very thorough and and uh you know, this is a such a team effort that we have. It’s a group effort and you know I think uh keeping as many guys there in place as we can I think is also another benefit to us moving forward. Being a part of the teams that you were a part of you obviously got close to your guys selves and never ultimately got there. How do you try to get that extra step out of these guys over the next couple years and that this doesn’t kind of follow that kind of same path eventually? You know I I I don’t worry about that with our guys. Um our guys are fighters. they, you know, I think they have shown that, you know, time and time again. Um, and the way they played particularly September and towards the end of the season and then into the playoffs. Um, these guys fight and and uh, you know, that’s something that that you have to have and and you have to have to get to the World Series. And that’s what they had this year and that’s what they’ll continue to bring. I don’t think that changes and um, these guys will continue that effort going forward. And um you know I think again another reason why we’ll try to keep as the core together as much as possible. There’s been a decent amount of criticism for the process and ultimately the decisions that were made in game seven. I’m wondering how do you handle that? Um you know I think again um you you know as a manager you’re responsible for that and uh you have to wear it in some ways. um you know and uh uh we’ll continue to to to assess and you know you’re always looking to to get better and uh do the things that it takes to get better and and we will continue to do that and um but it’s a you know again it’s a it’s frustrating um and uh you know it uh it really is something that stings and and continue to sting for a while. What did Josh Naylor show you in the three months that you guys have? Um, I mean, you know, just, uh, as we talked about during the season, he’s, uh, he’s an incredible player, you know, from a physical standpoint and the way he hits and the way he plays defense, pretty phenomenal. Um and uh and and but what he does, you know, off the field, I think in terms of the clubhouse and just his his mental approach to the game and and uh his the smarts that he has, the headiness that he plays with um you know, he’s uh he’s quite the player and and on both sides, whether it’s mental or physical and um you know, he he he’s a type of guy that that came over here into a new team, but but fit right in and fit right in quickly. And um you know it’s uh it uh it’s pretty it’s pretty impressive that he was able to do that and and that shows you the type of person and player he is. How much do you need a guy like that to be able to run it back in 26? You do. I mean you know you need that intensity. You need that drive. You know I think his drive to win is is uh is is is incredible also. And and um you know that uh that’s what you’re going to need from from all your guys. And um you know that’s that’s a big that’s a big part of uh you know what he brought to this club. So yeah, absolutely. We need that from everybody. Going back to Cal, you talked about through the season how it every month it was kind of the same consistent kind of track that he was on and it ended up being the same for October. For that kind of performance to continue to show up in the postseason, the biggest kind of stage. Does that kind of speak to the the the player he’s become in the season that he had that he was able to keep it rolling into that stage? Yeah, no doubt. And and again, I think I think that speaks to to his durability. you know, it’s it’s it’s a long season for a catcher especially, and um you know, what he was able to do and and then to continue to do that through the postseason um is remarkable. Um and again, uh he did it with humility, no doubt, but he he did it with a desire all all from a desire to win and want to win and want to get us to the next level. And and uh you know, I think that’s that’s really what drives him. and um you know it’s it’s good that we got closer and and uh you know next year is is is is our is our next opportunity to to get even to where we want to go. Does this feel like his team in in some ways? Um I I think you know um it’s hard to say. I I think it’s I think that group um it’s a it’s a just like it is as as a coaching staff. I think it’s a group group effort. Um and uh you know so many guys again fill so many roles. Um but he’s certainly one of the guys that’s a leader and and uh um you know what a year he has had the the way he has stepped up and just his leadership and and also what he has done on the field. Um, you know, he is definitely a big voice in that.

Seattle Mariners Manager Dan Wilson addresses the media following the 2025 season.

Complete coverage & more interviews at SeattleSports.com.

29 comments

  6. Dan was wrong, but I think Dan knows he was wrong. I forgive him. Other than the 7th inning of Game 7, I thought he was generally a good game manager in the postseason.

  8. I was in agony last two days. And I realized that the baseball is a lot of luck involved. If Skubal was not pulled, there was no ALCS. If Little didn't came out, there was no Game 7. So you never know how many people agree on Bazardo's appearance or how many people think Munoz should have come out. Everything was 50/50. The bottom line is this. The dominance is the key. You just have to dominate the other team. It's really difficult thing to do to outlast the other team all the time regardless regular season or post season.

  10. I heard someone (can't remember) say this years team is like the 2012 seahawks. They made it deep on the playoffs but fell short. And like that Seahawk team have a lot of young talent and I forsee in the next few years we will have some exciting baseball to watch. As long as management and ownership continue to make the right decisions and build on our strengths and fill our holes.

  12. At the end of last season If you told everyone who's hating on Dan. He would be the manager and get the team to Alcs they'd be beside themselves. It's disgusting how fickle some of our fellow Mariner's fans are

  14. This season didn’t end the way we would have preferred, but it was truly magical. Time will heal the sting, and when it does, we’ll look back on this year—and the guys who left everything on the field—with pride and a smile, knowing we were all part of something special. I’ll remember this season and its rollercoaster of emotions just as vividly as 1995, and I’ll be forever grateful.

  17. I get everyone is pissed at Dan, and to some degree rightfully so, but I think over the course of 162 he’s done a much better job than Scott and frankly has earned the right to manage this team moving forward. He’ll always have head scratching moments throughout a season but what manager doesn’t.

  21. It was a stupid decision. But after calming down a bit its not all on Dan. We went up against a squad 100 million more in payroll and a squad more than double ours had we won. If we had 3-4 more quality guys or 5-6 above average guys than the .100 squad in the 7-9 sure. But our ownership is what it is. I doubt we will resign Naylor and it will sting 1000% more if the bluejays nab him due to canadian ties. Im still mad because it was just a dumb decision but it is what it is.

  22. The love for Dan Wilson as a manager is crazy. He literally screwed the Mariners out of at minimum 5 to as many as 10+ wins because of his incompetence. He was not a great manager and he didn't get bad in Game 7 of the ALCS, it just magnified the scrutiny on his in game decision-making. Wilson lacks the stomach for how to manage a MLB team, and he lacks the courage to admit his mistakes.

    Making J.P. bunt against Bieber in the 2nd inning proably cost us runs in that inning and Cal getting one more at bat. Why? Crawford dominated Bieber having been 7-for-14 against him over his career. That Crawford hit Bieber so well and he was batting 7th is even crazier considering he could've had as many as 3 AB against a pitcher who he is now 8-for-15 after his 4th inning 2B.

    Who puts the guy with the best track record against the other team's Game 7 starter in the 7th hole, doesn't let him hit, and takes the bat out of his hands for a #8 or #9 hitter, when they already had a runner in scoring position? Not a good manager who understands the game and statistics, but more importantly how stats and the game converge into game decisions.

    Then consider that Munoz has never given up a hit to either Springer or Guerrero for his career, they are a combined 0-for-11, 1 BB, and 3 K career, while Lukes never faced him. Munoz owns Kirk (0-for-4, 2 K), then Speier owns Varsho (1-for-6, 2 K), Clement (0-for-6, 2 K), and Barger (0-for-2, 1K)/Straw (0-for-4, 2K), as Straw would be the most likely pinch-hitter for Barger if they wanted a RH batter instead of the LH Barger.

    What about the 9th inning? Say Barger starts off the inning batting, so they PH Straw against Speier, so the Mariners bring in Brash after the PH Straw is announced, then you have a guy (Straw, who is 0-for-5, 1 BB, 3 K), followed be Kiner-Falefa (0-for-5, 1 K), followed by Gimenez (1-for-4), then if the inning continues, Springer (2-for-4, 2 K), Lukes (0-for-1, 1BB), Guerrero (0-for-5, 1 BB, 1 K), and finally Kirk (1-for-2), only Springer has a 2B off Brash. Only Springer has a 2B off Speier. No Blue Jay has ever had an extra base hit off Munoz.

    Brash, Speier, and Munoz have given up 2 2B career to the Blue Jay lineup. Combined the Blue Jays are 14-for-99, 3 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 8 BB, 18 K against the big three relievers of the Mariners. That's complete domination. That's .141/.206/.162 or a combined .368 OPS, which is worse than what most A-ball players would do against regular MLB pitching.

  24. Amazing season! I do hope that, during this offseason, we focus more on nice flat contact swings and less swinging for the fences, hero swings. Let's make contact, get guys on base and drive in runs.

  25. Forget about the pitching changes.. runners left on base is why they lost.. atleast it’s a simple fix, they need a two strike approach like Brett Boone did for example.. more contact less swing and miss. They’ll be back. That being said I can’t be more proud of Dan and Gar and my team that I love. My first Mariners game was in 1981

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