It was a disappointing 2026 season for the Seattle Mariners.
After reaching the ALCS in 2025 for the first time since 2001, Seattle missed the postseason this year with a 76-86 record, which was good for just third place in the AL West. Manager Dan Wilson, who wrapped up just his second full season on Sunday with a 7-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels, was fired as a result of that backslide.
It led to an incredibly awkward press conference moment on Sunday evening in which Wilson announced his own dismissal to the media.
"This season has been very difficult, and of course the results have not been what any of us expected," an emotional Wilson said to begin his postgame press conference. "As a result, it was concluded that today was my last day as manager
of the Seattle Mariners."
An absolutely surreal moment as the Mariners force Dan Wilson to announce his own firing pic.twitter.com/w0vCaqHe1A
— Baseball Bros (@BaseballBros) September 28, 2026
Seattle president of baseball operations Jerry Dipito released a statement confirming Wilson's firing on Sunday afternoon after the press conference.
President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto announced today that Dan Wilson will not return as Field Manager in 2027.
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) September 27, 2026
Read more: https://t.co/aDyDTOtAKE pic.twitter.com/q1bshzJ05X
The decision was reportedly made before Sunday's game, and Wilson was informed during a pregame meeting, according to multiple reports.
Wilson, a former All-Star MLB catcher who played for the Mariners from 1994-05, was hired with 34 games remaining in the season in August 2024 after the club fired former manager Scott Servais. Seattle finished 21-13 in those games but narrowly missed the postseason.
The Mariners finished 90-72 in Wilson's first full season in 2025, winning the AL West and coming within one game of winning the AL pennant for the first time in franchise history. However, after a disappointing follow-up campaign, Seattle will have new leadership in 2027.
The club just could have done him the courtesy of not making him discuss his own firing after a game.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Ex-Mariners manager Dan Wilson announced his own firing in awkward press conference
