Wilson delivered the Mariners some incredible memories, but it feels like he lacks the "story" necessary to win the American League Manager of the Year Award on Tuesday night.
Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson is one of three finalists for the American League Manager of the Year Award, which gets announced on Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. PT.
He is up against John Schneider of the Toronto Blue Jays and Stephen Vogt of the Cleveland Guardians.
It should be noted that these awards are based upon the regular season only, so the M's trip to the American League Championship Series - and their subsequent loss to Toronto - have no impact on how the award is given.
Wilson's case
Wilson has history on his side, that's for sure. Not only did he become the first rookie manager to lead the Mariners to the playoffs, he also led the Mariners to their first American League West title since 2001.
Seattle went 90-72, winning 90 or more games for the third time in the last five years. It's also the fifth straight winning season for the M's, the longest stretch in franchise history.
Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson (6) talks in the dugout before a game against the Colorado Rockies at T-Mobile Park. Joe Nicholson-Imagn ImagesVogt's case
The Guardians won the American League Central for the second straight year, overcoming a historic 15.5-game deficit to track down the Detroit Tigers in order to do it. Vogt also won the award in 2024.
Schneider's case
The Blue Jays finished last in the American League East in 2024, finishing with just 74 wins, but Schneider led them to a 94-win season this year. It was also the first division title since 2015 for the group.
What Buster Olney of ESPN is saying
Olney was a guest last week on our own 'Refuse to Lose' podcast and had this to say about Wilson's chances:
Now with a manager award, which I think is the strangest award always because it always comes down to a team success versus what the expectations were. And so, based on that history of how they choose these awards, John Schneider, of the Blue Jays, you would assume has an excellent chance to win it.
And by the way, you know this, but it's worth reaffirming for your listeners, that they turn in those awards the day after the regular season so the Blue Jays World Series (appearance) will have no bearing on who wins. So I think based on what we thought was going to happen before the year started and what did happen, John Schneider, he had a really compelling case, where on the other hand, I thought the expectations for the Mariners coming in to the year was they had an excellent chance to make the World Series.
You can listen to the full conversation below:
What we're saying
From the 'Refuse to Lose' podcast on Nov. 4:
On the Dan Wilson front, I- I don't think that he's going to win, but Dan Wilson had a phenomenal year and he absolutely deserves to be a finalist. And the reason why I don't think Dan Wilson will win is because, I think, to win the Manager of the Year Award, you have to have done something historic, like win 110 games, or you have to have been a part of a great story. And Dan Wilson was part of a great story in leading the Mariners to their first division title in 24 years, but I feel like the guys in front of him, or the guys he's competing with, their stories will be viewed better. And I wish that wasn't the case, but I think it's going to be the case.
Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson (6) observes batting practice before a game against the San Diego Padres at T-Mobile Park. Joe Nicholson-Imagn ImagesRelated Mariners Stories
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