Dan Wilson’s Future with M’s
by Jon Shields ~ June 24th, 2008
Fans love to step in and submit resumes for their favorite retired players whenever a coaching position opens up on the home team, and Mariner fans are no difference. M’s fans love to fantasize about the possibility of Edgar Martinez or John Olerud stepping in as hitting coach, Jay Buhner and his fiery personality as manager, or Jaime Moyer (once retired) as the pitching coach. Some of these propositions make sense, some don’t, but Seattle P-I’s John Hickey talked to former catcher and fan favorite Dan Wilson about possibly throwing his name in the hat when positions start opening up:
“I really don’t know what they are going to do,” Wilson told Hickey. “I don’t think anybody does. But if there’s something out there, it’s something I definitely have to look into.
“It’s obvious that baseball is a big part of my life. It’s something I know and want to make a part of the rest of my life. But in just what role or capacity is uncertain.”
Wilson, living in New England, still maintains a relationship with the team that he spent the majority of his career, helping out on some east coast broadcasts and typically popping in as a guest coach during spring training. Last I heard Wilson was coaching ball at a small private school back east.
It brings up an interesting question. Would Dan Wilson make a good coach, either as a bench coach, bullpen coach, pitching coach or manager?
His baseball knowledge has never been questioned. He understands the game like few out there do. “He had such attention to detail and knowledge of the game,” former Seattle manager Mike Hargrove was quoted after Wilson’s retirement. He was a respected player, a quiet motivator. I wasn’t on the field during his tenure with the Mariners so I can’t comment directly on his impact, but every quote I have read from people that know the game sing praises of Wilson’s mastery of the game and his ability to be the on-field manager.
A lot have mentioned that catchers make great managers. A large number of the current MLB managers are former catchers themselves, including many of the most successful ones in recent years: Eric Wedge (CLE), Joe Girardi (NYY), Mike Scioscia (LAA), Bob Geren (OAK), Joe Maddon (TB), Bob Melvin (ARI), Fredi Gonzalez (FLA), Joe Torre (LAD), Ned Yost (MIL) and Bruce Bochy (SF).
I’m not going to go much deeper into this, but I thought it would make a nice discussion. No, Wilson won’t become the Mariners next manager, and he will have to work his way into such a position. He could, however, make a lot of sense as a bench coach. Or possibily as a coach or manager for Seattle’s farm team out east in Pulaski to start out. What do you think about bringing Wilson back as a coach?
Before responding, think about your answer a bit. We all feel sentimental when it comes to Wilson, so it’s easy to post along the lines of “Woo! Bring Danny back! 1995!! Woooo!” or something equally ridiculous. Think about his experience, other coaching options, where he would start out at; or maybe you don’t think it would be a good idea. Maybe you think he should get into broadcasting or start working in the front office. Let’s here what you have to say!
11 Responses to Dan Wilson’s Future with M’s
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1 June 25th, 2008 at 11:04 am
I remember when he retired and Neihaus was talking about this just days after his last game. Neihaus saw Wilson as a future coach right away. I personally would love it. He was one of my all-time favorite players, and I think he could manage a good game.
One concern: Is he too nice? The guy is a strong Christian, and I don’t see him having the ability to blow up and light the fire a team sometimes needs.
2 June 25th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Woo! Bring Danny back! 1995!! Woooo
GO MARINERS!!!
But seriously, I think he’d make a good coach. Start him out like you said in Pulaski, see how he does and I think he would one day make a great manager.
3 June 25th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
His recent work for the M’s broadcast team leads me to believe he may be auditioning for permanent employment behind a mic somewhere, though it could be an attempt to back his way into coaching somewhere in the organization.
I’d love to see him coach somewhere in the organization though, and the M’s really shouldn’t allow for any potential talent to be wasted in the broadcast booth. I say go for him and see if the guy can coach. It’s worth a shot.
Good call with the religion/niceness point Dustin. That would be worth a look if the M’s decided to bring him on.
4 June 25th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I got nothing against religion, don’t get me wrong, because I share his faith (same denomination), but I do have a problem with a “nice coach.” I want that guy who will swear, kick dirt, be “unethical” as a coach in order to fire up his team. Lou was that guy. Ozzie has that potential. Just by the his facial expressions, Riggleman LOOKS like that kind of guy. Dan Wilson doesn’t have a mean bone in his body…
5 June 25th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Dustin you echo my feelings about it exactly,Dan being a strong Christian(which is awesome) might have a problem being gritty and intense something the M’s surely need.Bob Melvin was a little to passive for my liking we need a cross between Clint Eastwood and Al Pachino of the baseball world some figure who will light a fire under there butts.
Say….isnt it about way over due to crap can Batista?? sheesshhh maybe give RRS a chance? thoughts?
6 June 26th, 2008 at 12:49 am
The christian thing doesn’t have anything to do with it, first of all, but I know what you all are getting at. I agree that being a “nice” coach doesn’t always work.
At the same time, I don’t see Wilson the same as McLaren. McLaren was a cheezy nice, Wilson seems like he’d be nice but more respected, more serious at times. Can’t say for sure, but that’s just the impression I get.
Either way, he’s not going to be the big league manager anytime soon. He’s got the baseball knowledge to coach for sure; he may just be lacking the attitude to lead. It would be interesting to ask some people in the know about Dan’s leadership abilities.
7 June 27th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Jon, I’ve spent 18 years of my life (all of it) in private school and church. The OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of the people I know are Christians, and are just too nice.
I think a coach needs to develop an “inner jerk” if they want to be a successful coach. I think they need to be able to start a pissed off clubhouse attitude, something to spark a fire. I just don’t know if Dan the Man could do that.
As for the respected thing, I totally agree.
8 June 27th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Well, if you remember correctly the Mariners had a winning record last season and the same “soft” coach. The difference between the attitude of last years team and this years team, to me, is the loss of Jose Guillen. If you remember Shannon Drayer told us that he was really on everyone’s asses and was really fiery, and she said that beyond him Seattle didn’t have any other “butt-kicker” type leaders.
The point is that you may not need that fiery coach as long as you have some pissed off veteran guys to keep the ballclub in check.
9 June 27th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Wasn’t Bob Melvin seen as a “nice” coach? If so, he’s doing very well with a young arizona team. A coach doesn’t necessarily have to be a jerk to be successful. More importantly, the coach has to figure out how to motivate each player, because everyone has a different personality and psyche. I think Dan Wilson would realize that and try to motivate people on that behalf.
My high school baseball coach was one of the nicest guys i knew, and the year he took over, we went from a sub .500 team to a playoff contender…because he knew how to get each of us motivated.
I agree with Jon that fiery veterans are at least as effective as a fiery coach.
10 June 28th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
All I want is a manager who starts the right players and knows how to manage a bullpen and I could care less who it is. His name could be Bob Saccamano for all I care. Mclaren isnt a bad coach because he’s nice, he’s a bad coach because his decision making is horrendous.
11 June 30th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Right, but sometimes I think that McLaren’s “niceness” could have contributed to some of those poor decisions. Like maybe he wanted to keep the bullpen happy by trying to keep everyone in their roles, or trying to keep the bench happy by over-using them. I dunno, just a thought. You are right, Rob, but some guys truly can be too nice.