SEATTLE, Wash. – Seattle Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto announced today that following conversations this week it was concluded that Dan Wilson will not return as Field Manager in 2027.
“Collectively we failed to meet our own expectations this season,” Dipoto said. “Dan and I both care deeply about this organization, these players, and the future of the Mariners. After much discussion it was concluded that a new direction is best for 2027 and beyond.
“I want to thank Dan for his efforts over the past two years and specifically recognize his role in our club advancing to Game 7 of the ALCS in 2025.”
“I’ve appreciated the opportunity to lead this team the past two years,” Wilson said. “While this season has not gone the way any of us expected, I’m proud that the players in the clubhouse showed up each day to try and compete and battle in each game they played. I’m confident that the 2026 season doesn’t accurately reflect the talent, passion and desire of our players and know that bright things are ahead for this group.”
“I want to add my thanks to Dan for the work he’s done as manager,” John Stanton, Seattle Mariners Chairman & Managing Partner, added. “I have also spoken with Dan and made it clear that we would like to keep him in our organization. I look forward to continued conversations as we work to identify a role in which we can continue to benefit from his experience and commitment to the Mariners and our community.”
Wilson, who led the club to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series last year, finishes his Mariners tenure with a career mark of 187-171 (.522), the second-best winning percentage in Mariners history (Lou Piniella, .542). He is the only Manager to lead the Mariners to the Postseason in his first full year at the helm, and just the second to claim a Division Title. Last season, Wilson was named Sporting News American League Manager of the Year, and he finished third in the BBWAA AL Manager of the Year voting.
Wilson, who was inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2012, worked in a variety of roles with the Mariners on and off the field following his retirement as an active player. Prior to being named manager on August 22, 2024, he spent 11 seasons working in an on-field capacity in the Mariners Baseball Operations group, including seven as a Special Assistant for Player Development.
Dan was also responsible for driving the Mariners Mission of Service to our Communities by players and teams throughout the minor league system. Concurrently, he served as a TV commentator for Mariners games from 2011 to 2024.
Wilson had a 14-year Major League career with Cincinnati (1992-93) and the Mariners (1994-2005). He played more games as a catcher than any other player in Mariners history (1,237) and ranks among the top 10 in a bevy of offensive categories including games played (1,251), hits (1,071), extra-base hits (308), total bases (1,568), doubles (207), RBI (508), at-bats (4,085) and runs scored (433). At the time of his retirement, he held the AL record for career fielding percentage by a catcher. He was an American League All-Star in 1996, and a member of the 1995, 1997, 2000 and 2001 Mariners Postseason teams. In August, he was recognized as one of the 50 Greatest Mariners of all time.
Dan and his wife Annie reside in Seattle, where they raised their four children. The Wilson family has been actively involved in the Seattle community since they arrived in 1994, included supporting Seattle’s First Place School (a private non-profit K-6 school for children facing homelessness), All God’s Children International and Seattle Children’s hospital, among other local charities. Dan and Annie served as the co-chairs of the 2012-13 United Way of King County annual giving campaign.