Cal Raleigh Claims Feeling “Responsible” for Dan Wilson’s Exit as Mariners Manager

Dan Wilson went 187-171 during his tenure as the Seattle Mariners manager from August 2024 to September 2026.

Cal Raleigh Claims Feeling “Responsible” for Dan Wilson’s Exit as Mariners Manager

Cal Raleigh and Dan Wilson (Image via X/@MLBNetwork/X/@BobStelton)

On Sunday, Dan Wilson announced that he will not return as the manager of the Seattle Mariners next season. Following this announcement, Cal Raleigh shouldered some blame and claimed to feel “responsible” for his exit.

The 2026 season was nothing but disappointing for the Mariners. A year ago, they won the American League West division for the first time in 24 years.

With Raleigh leading the charge, the team reached the American League Championship Series (ALCS) and was up 3-2 after 5 games against the Toronto Blue Jays. In the end, they suffered a Game 7 elimination and missed out on their first trip to the World Series.

Given how they performed last season, the Mariners were considered one of the contenders once again. However, the campaign did not go as they planned.

The Seattle-based side remained inconsistent throughout the year. They finished the first half of the season with a 48-49 record. Their topsy-turvy form continued until the end of the season.

Wilson announced this decision before the team’s final game of the season. With a 7-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels, the Mariners finished with a 76-86 record, 5 games behind the Houston Astros, who won the division title with an 81-81 record.

Raleigh, who finished second in the AL MVP voting behind Aaron Judge last year, had a major fall this time out. He finished the year with a .182 batting average, the worst among qualified batters this season.

While reacting to the departure of Wilson, Raleigh expressed his frustrations and claimed to feel “terrible.”

I feel terrible. I feel responsible. I think every guy in this clubhouse does. Unfortunately, that’s how it goes. It’s business sometimes, and unfortunately that’s what happens when you don’t perform.

Cal Raleigh said regarding Dan Wilson as per MLB.com

Wilson was appointed as the manager of the Mariners in August 2024. He replaced Scott Servais as the manager and went 21-13 in his 34 games for the rest of the season. He finished his Mariners’ managerial career with a 187-171 record.

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Mariners have offered Dan Wilson a chance to stay with the organization

Dan Wilson stepped down from his post as the manager of the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. He, though, has been given a chance to stay with the organization in some other role.

Dan Wilson
Dan Wilson (Image via X/@baseballisdead_)

In a statement issued by the team, the Chairman and Managing Partner John Stanton thanked Wilson for his contributions. In this, he made his intention clear to keep Wilson in some other role with the team and to use his experience for the benefit of the others.

I have also spoken with Dan and made it clear that we would like to keep him in our organization.

John Stanton said regarding Dan Wilson

The 57-year-old manager does have good ties with the organization. He spent 12 seasons of his 14-year MLB career with the Mariners from 1994 to 2005. He is also one of 11 members of the team’s Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 2012.

The biggest question heading into the offseason for the M’s is who will replace Wilson as the manager. For President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipito, he is now tasked with hiring just the 3rd manager in his tenure.

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