As a long-suffering Mariners fan (is there another type of Mariners fan? No, there is not!), my initial reaction to the new Manager hire, Jason Kanzler, is disappointment and frustration. GM Jerry Dipoto has now hired his 3rd manager, none of whom had actual managerial experience going in. How did that track record go? Two playoff runs in 11 years. His hiring history does not evoke confidence.
The most successful manager in Mariners history, Lou Piniella, was a veteran manager (who led the Reds to a World Series win), and *GASP* actually knew going in, how to run a baseball team. I think Dipoto hired this inexperienced guy in part so that he can retain full control without pushback from a manager who actually knows what he is doing. I hope I am wrong about this hire, but the historical trends are not favorable. If the M’s do not make the playoffs this year (oh, and we may have a MLB Lockout also to look forward to), Dipoto must be fired! Actually, I would have been happy to see him go after this trashcan of a season (yes, an intentional jibe at our new manager, who has a coaching history with the hated Astros).
Seattle’s history of ineptness is legendary. As most baseball fans know, Seattle is the ONLY Major League Baseball (MLB) to never appear in a World Series. To add insult to injury, the Milwaukee Brewers’ victory in the 2026 World Series marks the Brewers as the first, and thus far, only Seattle-connected team to win a World Series. The Brewers team began life as the Seattle Pilots on 1969, before the Pilots were sold and stolen away to Milwaukee after only one sordid Seattle season.
As I stated, I dearly hope the new manager hits the ground running, and fixes the significant cultural issues surrounding this team. I love Dan Wilson for his time as a Mariner player, and for the thrilling 2025 season, but he was a poor leader this last season. Here is hoping that Kanzler is better, and (probably just as important), ownership lets him bring in players who can help us win.