AL DIVISION SERIES: TIGERS VS MARINERS

October 8, 2025

Dan Wilson

Comerica Park

Seattle Mariners

Pregame 4 Press Conference

Q. Dan, 30 years ago today, Edgar's double sent you to the ALCS for the first time. What do you remember about that moment, that day, that memory?

DAN WILSON: It seems, you know, crazy that it's been 30 years, but so many things just -- coming back after being down there and then just seeing Jr. running as fast as he was around second base, knowing that he wasn't going to be denied scoring. And just the pile-on, not knowing whether you go to home plate to pile on Jr. or go out to second base to get Edgar.

Just great memories, the sounds of the noise in the Kingdome. Those are things that you just never forget.

Q. Where did you end up?

DAN WILSON: I think I started towards home and peeled off and went towards second. I don't even really remember. I think I lost my mind at that point. But just an incredible moment.

I think so much about that year has been talked about, but the connection with the fans that year was incredible and just how much they kept us going, how much joy they brought us. And even getting eliminated against the Indians later on, just the outpouring that they had to stick around the stadium, call us back out, whatever happened -- it was awesome.

Q. Speaking of the ALCS, obviously Bryce on the mound today, opportunity to clinch the DS today. How do you envision his usage today, especially considering, you know, kind of the question mark of whether he was going to pinch in the bullpen or start in this game throughout the last week?

DAN WILSON: Yeah. You know, I think we approach this just like any start for Bryce. And obviously, as we've kind of taken it each game by game here during this stretch, we do it again today. And Bryce on the hill for us, we are excited about that. He's thrown the ball well, and he does what he does.

I think the game plan will be to be Bryce Miller. Good fastball at the top and use his secondaries and work the two off of each other. That's when he's at his best.

And Cal, obviously, seen these hitters and working through these first three games has a pretty good idea what's going on back there.

So, you know, I think we'll just continue to approach it the same way. And the bullpen is ready to go as well, and they have thrown the ball well, so I think we just continue to ride it out as we have.

Q. Back on the topic of '95, since we're talking about it, you talk about the connection with the fans. Are there parallels you can draw with this team and this feeling right now?

DAN WILSON: I mean, yes. I think just having been at home with T-Mobile, as it was, and the volume there, and just, again, how they kept us going. And when they start that "Go Mariners" chant, that just brings you back to so many memories.

And it's just -- again, they give us so much energy. It's really a cool feeling, I think, as a player. And we just appreciate how much they pour into our club.

Q. Kind of similar, I'm curious, when you're going through a run this year as a manager for this team, how the adrenaline or how nervousness or anxiousness is different from when you were in that run as a catcher. You may have somewhat of a feeling of helplessness now, but is it the same or different in terms of how you're feeling as your guys are going through this?

DAN WILSON: For one thing, it was 30 years ago, so it's kind of hard to remember as a player what it was like.

But I think you feel -- it does feel different in a way, but I think the same energy, the same life comes from being at the ballpark in those settings and in those kinds of situations and playoff baseball.

I think playoffs are the playoffs because they feel the same for everybody, and that's what makes this time of year so great, and that's what's made this time of year great in Seattle over the years. And I think that's what the fans appreciate. That's what players appreciate.

And, again, it's been a great love affair between the two of them since I can remember.

Q. Dan, how much do you think it is the personalities, the specific personalities of your guys that have also resonated with this fan base too?

DAN WILSON: Yeah. No doubt. This is a -- as we have talked about all season long, it's really a special group, and just their resiliency, their fight, coming back, bouncing back, all the things that they do on a consistent basis endears everybody to the fans.

And I think the personalities that we have, the way these guys play the game, the way they have fun playing the game, those are things that really shine through on a daily basis, I think, and I think the fans can appreciate that. And I know our guys appreciate the fans so much.