On Presidents' Day, Mather has 3 messages for Mariners fans

SEATTLE -- It's President's Day in America, so what better time to check in for a quick word with Mariners team president Kevin Mather?

Mather is just beginning his second season in that position, having replaced Chuck Armstrong in January 2014. The Wisconsin native has been with the Mariners since 1996, serving as executive vice president of finance until his promotion last year.

The 51-year-old made the move at a good time, as the club went 87-75 last year, improving by 16 wins and missing an American League Wild Card berth by just one game. We asked him to provide his three main messages to Mariners fans going into the 2015 season, and here's what he had to say:

• "The No. 1 goal of the Seattle Mariners is to win the World Series, and we are committed to reaching that goal by being a contender year-in and year-out. The American League West race in 2015 promises to be an exciting one from Opening Day on April 6 through the final week of the season, and we believe the Mariners will be in the thick of it."

• "We want the same things our fans want. It starts with success on the field. In addition, we want to provide a great experience for our fans at Safeco Field. Our fans have been great to us, and we want them to enjoy every minute in the ballpark. For example, responding to fan feedback, we have invested heavily in a free Wi-Fi system [which debuted at FanFest] so fans, especially young fans, can stay connected. And, long-term, we have made focusing on making kids and families a priority for our organization."

• "Major League Baseball teams have a unique opportunity to be good community citizens. Through Mariners Care, our ownership, our players and staff will continue to work closely with many community organizations and causes throughout the Northwest. We as an organization believe in this. Our players, specifically, are good citizens, and believe in their role in this community, giving back."