Had you told Seattle Mariners fans on June 18th that manager Scott Servais would be fired in a little over two months, they would have scoffed.
At the time the Mariners enjoyed a 10-game lead in the AL West over the Houston Astros.
But since June 18th, the Mariners have gone 20-33 and are now 5 games back of the Astros. Over the same period, the Astros have gone 35-18.
So today, the Mariners fired manager Servais and replaced him with former Mariners catcher Dan Wilson. It is worth noting that Wilson has never coached or managed at any level but has been part of the Mariners front office since 2013. To make matters worse, Servais found out about his termination on X, not in person.
Servais had been the Mariners manager since 2016. In 2022, Servais guided the Mariners to their first post-season appearance since 2001. However, they would be swept in the ALDS by their bete noire the Astros who went on to win the World Series. The Mariners would miss the post-season by a single game last year.
While perhaps a change in the guard was in order, doing it at this point in the season seems like a risky proposition (let alone hiring Wilson) which could have the effect of demoralizing the team as the Astros ascend. But who knows what goes on in the mind of Mariners' President Jerry DiPoto?
It is worth remembering the Astros had a very poor start. But I knew it wouldn't last and it didn't. What I didn't see coming as the Mariners taking this kind of drastic action. And maybe Servais didn't see it either.
On the other hand, Mariners' Hall of Famer Edgar Martinez is reportedly set to rejoin the coaching staff. So that might soften the blow of Servais's sudden termination. But Martinez isn't in the manager's chair.
Well, we shall see how the Mariners respond to the change of the guard over the final 34 games of the regular season.
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