Tagged: Dan Wilson
Alvin Davis Honored for Community Service
Former Mariners first baseman Alvin Davis has been named the recipient of the 2015 Moose Clausen Community Service Award.
The award is bestowed each fall by the Seattle Mariners RBI Club, a group of active Mariners season ticket holders, to a member of the Mariners organization (active or retired) for significant contributions to the community.
Alvin received the award this past Saturday, November 7, at the annual RBI Club Toys for Kids fundraiser at the Bellevue Hyatt Evergreen Ballroom.
Alvin was one of those rare players who made an immediate impact. He made his Major League debut in 1984. That season, he represented the Mariners at the All-Star Game, was named Mariners MVP and American League Rookie of the Year. When he finished his eight year career with the Mariners, Alvin was the team leader in eight different offensive categories. In 1997, he became the first inductee to the Mariners Hall of Fame.
Since he retired from baseball, Alvin has stayed connected to the game as a high school coach in his hometown of Riverside, California, and working with Mariners minor leaguers. Alvin and his wife Kim are active in their church leadership and help families with biblical and financial counsel.
The RBI Community Service Award is named for Al “Moose” Clausen, who is a Seattle born and raised baseball fanatic who worked in the Mariners front office for many years.
Previous Moose Clausen Award winners include Dan Wilson, Jamie Moyer, Edgar Martinez, Jay Buhner, Dave Valle and Julio Cruz.
Tonight’s Cactus League Report on 710 ESPN Seattle
Cactus League play is underway and, with that, our regular Tuesday night show makes its transition from the Hot Stove League to the Cactus League Report. Tonight’s two-hour program is hosted by Rick Rizzs, Aaron Goldsmith and Shannon Drayer, and we have quite the lineup in store. Tune in to hear from skipper Lloyd McClendon, catcher Mike Zunino, LHP Charlie Furbush, RHP Blake Beavan, OF James Jones, minor league catching coordinator and Mariners legend Dan Wilson, and MLB.com’s Greg Johns.
You can listen to tonight’s show from 7-9 p.m. on 710 ESPN Seattle or stream online on Mariners.com.
Welcome Back Dan Wilson
He has remained a part of the Mariners family since he retired from baseball in 2005, whether it was on TV & Radio broadcasts, on the Mariners Caravan or at FanFest, but now Dan Wilson is officially back in a Mariners uniform as the Minor League Catching Coordinator.
In his new role, Dan will work with Mariners catchers at all levels, beginning during Spring Training and continuing throughout the minor league season. He will travel to each of the Mariners affiliates several times during the season to work with Seattle’s young catchers.
Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik echoed the thoughts of all Mariners fans:
“We are happy to have Dan, one of our former players, affiliated with us,” Zduriencik said. “His on-field experience and passion for the Mariners organization makes him a great fit in his new role with us. We are looking forward to Dan’s contributions as he spends hands-on time with our players.”
Wilson, 44, spent 14 seasons catching in the Majors, debuting with Cincinnati (1992-93) and spending the bulk of his career with the Mariners (1994-2005). He has caught more games (1,281) than any other player in Mariners history and was the starting catcher on every Mariners team to reach the post-season. Dan owns the Mariners career record for home runs by a catcher (88, including 2 inside-the-park homers), and the Club’s single-season records for catchers RBI (83, 1996) and home runs (18, 1996).
Dan ended his career with a .995 fielding percentage, at the time the highest for any catcher in American League history, and the sixth-highest in Major League history. Wilson was an American League All-Star in 1996, and was inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2012.
In addition to his on-field accomplishments Dan, and his family, have played an active philanthropic role in the Seattle community. Dan and his wife, Annie, were the 2012-2013 United Way of King County annual campaign co-chairs, and have long supported First Place School, the adoption agency All God’s Children International and Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Nate’s Wish Inspires
Mariners Hall of Famer Dan Wilson joined the World Wish Day celebration in Mukilteo as 16-year old cancer patient Nate McCarthy used his Wish to spruce up his high school baseball field
No need to worry about the future of our nation, if it’s in the hands of someone like Nate McCarthy of Mukilteo.
Nate, who is 16, and undergoing treatment for leukemia, asked Make-A-Wish® if he could use his wish to update his high school baseball field.
Here’s Nate’s letter to Make-A-Wish about why he wanted this wish:
The reason that I would like my Make-a-Wish to be updating the baseball field at Kamiak is because baseball is my life. During the treatment I was at every game and the guys came to my house frequently to play video games or just to hang out and that helped me take my mind off my hard treatment. Throughout my treatment I just wanted to get back on the diamond, to be with my friends and have fun. Every guy on that team has gone through my treatment with me and has treated me with respect and kindness. I want to give back to them because they did this for me. I have been playing with these kids (juniors and seniors) since I was in Little League and have gotten to know them well. I want to be able to continue that especially on a diamond that everyone can be proud of and enjoy playing on. Thank you. Sincerely, Nathan, 16 years-old
Nate recently got his wish on World Wish Day, Mariners Hall of Famer Dan Wilson joined hundreds of people at Kamiak High School to celebrate a special wish by a special young man.
While Kamiak’s season is completed, Nate has been invited to join the United Way of King County All-Star Classic on June 15th at Safeco Field.
The Mariners are proud to join with Make-A-Wish to pay tribute to Nate. He is an inspiration to us all.
Mariners Caravan Slideshow
The Seattle Mariners 2013 Winter Caravan kicked off earlier this week with John Jaso, Mike Carp, Dan Wilson, Dave Sims and the Mariner Moose making stops in Covington, Tacoma and Lacey. Here are some photos captured by team photographer Ben Van Houten.
Mariners Again Reach 100% for United Way Giving
As the holidays are now in full swing, and thoughts turn to giving, please forgive The Corner of Edgar & Dave for bit of bragging.
The Seattle Mariners front office just completed our annual United Way campaign. For the third year in a row, we reached 100% participation, and we increased the level of giving by the 188 full-time front office staff by 9%.
Former Mariners catcher, and newly-inducted Hall of Famer, Dan Wilson, and his wife Annie, chaired the United Way of King County annual giving campaign. Greg Johns, Mariners.com beat writer, posted a story on this year’s campaign.
The Mariners have now been closely associated with four United Way of King County campaign chairs: CEO & Chair Howard Lincoln (2003-2004), owners Jeff & Tricia Raikes (2006-2007), owner John Stanton (2007-2008), and the Wilsons.
Dan and Annie Wilson joined members of the Mariners front office for the annual United Way of King County Community Resource Exchange on October 18.
Randy Johnson & Dan Wilson inducted into Mariners Hall of Fame
This afternoon at Safeco Field in Seattle, Randy Johnson and Dan Wilson became the fifth and sixth members of the Mariners Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place prior to today’s game against the Kansas City Royals. Dan and Randy join Alvin Davis (1997), Dave Niehaus (2000), Jay Buhner (2004) and Edgar Martinez (2007). The Mariners Hall of Fame was created in 1997 to honor the players, staff and other individuals that greatly contributed to the history of the Mariners franchise.
It is fitting that the Mariners batterymates from 1994-1998 were honored together. Both were presented with the bronze plaques that were installed for permanent display in the Baseball Museum of the Pacific Northwest, which is located on the main concourse at Safeco Field opposite sections 132 and 136.
While their statistics help tell the story, it was their relationship that played a significant role in the life of the Mariners franchise. (Bios and playing records of Randy and Dan are attached.) Randy and Dan were batterymates for 104 starts from 1994-1998, and the Mariners were 75-29 in those games, a .721 winning percentage.
Together the Johnson-Wilson duo was an integral part of Mariners teams that also featured stars like Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, Jay Buhner, Alex Rodriguez and others who brought the 1995 and 1997 American League West championships to Seattle and the Northwest. The photo of Randy and Dan embracing after beating the California Angels 9-1 to win the AL West tiebreaker on October 2, 1995, is one of the iconic scenes in franchise history.
Dan Wilson was one of the best defensive catchers in Major League Baseball history. In his 12 seasons and 1,281 games with the Mariners (1994-2005), Dan registered the best fielding percentage in American League history and was a true leader on all four Mariners playoff teams.
Dan still resides in Seattle, and remains active with the Mariners as a spring training instructor and part-time radio-TV announcer. He and his wife Annie are currently co-chairs of the 2012 United Way of King County campaign.
A sure-fire first ballot National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, Randy Johnson spent ten seasons of his 22-year career with the Mariners (1989-1998) and was one of the most dominating pitchers in baseball, as evidenced by his 303 victories and by his 4,875 strikeouts, which rank second all-time to just one man – Nolan Ryan.
The one word that describes Randy on the mound is “dominating”. He was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history. On his way to becoming the most recent pitcher to winning 303 games (in 2009 as a San Francisco Giant), he registered 4,875 career strikeouts, second all-time only to Nolan Ryan. His first of five Cy Young Awards in 1995 was also the first in Mariners history. His resume includes a no-hitter for the Mariners in 1990 and a perfect game for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004. Randy resides in Scottsdale, AZ, with his wife Lisa and their four children.
Mariners Hall of Famers Randy Johnson and Dan Wilson celebrate as the Mariners clinch the AL West in 1995
Dan & Randy’s Hall of Fame Luncheon
Randy Johnson and Dan Wilson.
Randy Johnson and Dan Wilson, the newest members of the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame, were celebrated at a luncheon on the infield of Safeco Field today.
At the head table with Randy and Dan were former Mariners pitcher Bill Krueger, catcher/broadcaster Dave Valle, outfielder/broadcaster Dave Henderson, infielder/broadcaster Mike Blowers, infielder/outfielder Rich Amaral, coach Lee Elia, former teammate and current coach Mike Brumley, manager Eric Wedge, former Teammate and Hall of Famers Edgar Martinez and Alvin Davis, Marilyn Niehaus, wife of Hall of Fame broadcaster Dave Niehaus, broadcaster Dave Sims and Safeco Field public address announcer Tom Hutyler.
Jay Buhner, who is also a member of the Mariners Hall of Fame, is in Spokane today for his son’s baseball tournament. But he’ll fly in tomorrow morning for the pregame induction ceremony at Safeco Field. It starts at 12:30pm.
Others who could not be in attendance provided video greetings including Bob Costas, Don Mattingly, Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Cameron, Harold Reynolds, Gaylord Perry and John Kruk.
Some notable quotes and moments from the program:
Rick Rizzs on Randy– “He was a fiery pitcher who could singlehandedly take over a game, his mullet blowing in the wind.”
Bob Costas, by video, noted that Randy and Dan were part of a very special time in the history of the Mariners and as good as Randy was, he was even better with his battery mate. With Dan behind the plate, Randy’s Mariners winning percentage was .721.
Former teammate Mike Blowers on Randy’s competitive nature – “He would go out with an edge every time.”
Former Teammate Rich Amaral –“Playing behind Randy was easy. It was strike 3 and we’d throw the ball around the infield.”
Amaral on Dan – “I respected how he played the game. He played hard every day. He’s strap it on and go out there. He never complained when he caught a day game after a night game, or was out there when he was supposed to have a day off.”
Rick Rizzs on Dan—“He was a blend of intelligence and toughness, a leader on the field, an extension of the manager.”
There was a stirring video tribute of great moments in Randy’s and Dan’s careers. Of all the highlights, and there were too many to note—strike outs, runners caught stealing, amazing defensive plays by both Randy and Dan—it was one of Dan’s two inside the park home runs that got a round of applause from the audience.
– RH
Mariners Hall of Fame Commemorative Publication – Dan Wilson
Yesterday, we gave you a peek at The Big Unit section of the special commemorative Mariners Hall of Fame publication. Today, it’s Dan the Man.
The limited edition, full-color, 20 page magazine is filled with photos, stats and information about the Mariners newest Hall of Fame members Randy Johnson and Dan Wilson
The publication is available at Safeco Field and will be at outlying Team Stores by Friday. The cost is $3.
Dan & Randy Hall of Fame Ceremony
Saturday’s Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame Induction ceremony will start at 12:30pm. Fans attending the game will want to be in their seats by then.
For those at home, there are two options. 710 ESPN, the Mariners flagship radio station, and the Mariners Radio Network, will carry the ceremony and game live. Because Saturday’s game is a day game, it will not be available on ROOT SPORTS (due to the FOX/MLB exclusive TV window).
However, the pregame ceremony will be streamed live on www.mariners.com. There will also be a crew at Safeco Field from MLB.com to cover the ceremony and the game. Both will be available as a replay to mlb.tv subscribers beginning 90 minutes after the final out.
In case you’re wondering why Saturday’s game is a day game (and the Mariners are not appearing on FOX) it’s because the Seafair Thorchlight Parade and Run are taking place later that night in downtown Seattle so we scheduled a day game to help avoid traffic problems.
Plenty of good seats are available if you’d like to be at Safeco Field for this historic occasion. Plus, there will be a pretty cool giveaway of a Dan & Randy Hall of Fame bobblehead (first 20,000 fans).
From the Corner of Edgar & Dave 