Seattle, WA
Mariners’ Scott Servais: High expectations of fans ‘a great thing’
There’s a special feeling across the Mariners going into the 2023 season, which has all the pieces to do with their back-to-back 90-win campaigns and reaching the playoffs final 12 months.
Drayer’s Pocket book: Mariners set spring invitations, add LHP with native ties
That additionally comes with completely different expectations from the fan base, a phase of which has been vocal throughout this offseason by which the Mariners have made some key additions however haven’t been a serious participant in free company.
Now what’s it wish to be the Mariners supervisor amidst that fervor? Scott Servais himself joined Seattle Sports activities’ Wyman and Bob in-studio on Tuesday afternoon, and he was requested whether or not it’s one thing he pays a lot consideration to.
“Does it really feel completely different for you?” Bob Stelton requested Servais. “Do you sense a distinction in anticipation, expectation going into this season as a result of the followers have been given a style (of success)? They’re reinvested now. … And within the final two seasons, everyone – it’s Mariner fever. And now, ‘Hey, gotta take the subsequent step,’ and I’m a part of that. You gotta take that subsequent step, you gotta shut that hole between you and the Astros. Do you get a way of that, or do you simply type of tune out all the pieces that’s occurring and are simply trying on the product on the sector?”
Servais’ reply?
“Heck yeah, I get a way of that,” he exclaimed. “That’s a nice factor.”
Servais, who’s second in Mariners group historical past to solely Lou Piniella in seasons as supervisor (he’s getting into his eighth 12 months), wins (528) and profitable proportion (.512) – is aware of that’s one thing what comes with being a playoff group.
“There have been a number of offseasons I’ve are available right here and these conversations haven’t been as straightforward,” he stated. “You’re attempting to clarify how we’re going to get this all rotated, and we’re not speaking about one or two issues, we’re speaking about eight or 10 issues. So the truth that the expectations are increased is nice. That’s precisely what we’re taking pictures for.”
The skipper added that he’s feeling the joy for the Mariners firsthand round city.
“It’s been a special offseason for me in Seattle this 12 months. Each time I am going someplace, anyone’s gonna acknowledge. ‘I used to be on the 18-inning sport.’ I believe we had 250,000 individuals on the 18-inning sport as a result of everyone I speak to was at that sport. … It’s enjoyable to see this complete factor come collectively and simply what it’s meant to the group. Dwelling right here all 12 months spherical and getting out, I inform my spouse I can’t go to Dwelling Depot. Each time I am going to Dwelling Depot, that’s the place the place guys are ‘I must get an image with you’ or ‘Why did you do that on this sport? Why didn’t you carry on this man?’ It’s the great thing about baseball. All people’s into it.”
“All people” features a youthful era that he hopes is connecting to those Mariners like followers had been capable of earlier than within the Nineteen Nineties and early 2000s.
“I believe it’s thrilling to have a group that now younger followers, younger youngsters can hook up with,” Servais stated. “For years I heard – and also you noticed all through baseball – everyone was a Ken Griffey Jr. fan. ‘I grew up watching Griffey, I grew up watching Junior and Jay (Buhner) and Edgar (Martinez) and Randy (Johnson) and Jamie Moyer and Dan Wilson.’ Now, possibly we’re shifting to a different group or one other era of gamers, which is nice for younger individuals.
“That’s what’s going to drive our sport. Younger gamers drive the sport on the sector. … We’ve received gamers that our fan base can hook up with. In the event you can’t hook up with Julio (Rodríguez) and the Massive Dumper (Cal Raleigh) and (George) Kirby and (Andrés) Muñoz – we’ve received guys that may do this, they’re actually good gamers and so they’re good individuals.”
The hope for Servais is that younger group will proceed to strengthen its connection to town by assembly the brand new, increased expectations.
“I’m excited in regards to the expectations,” he stated. “I do wish to take the subsequent step – I wish to win the division. That’s the subsequent step.”
You may catch all 22 minutes of Servais’ dialog with Wyman and Bob within the video close to the highest of this submit or within the podcast beneath.
Lifelong Mariners fan Cooper Hummel has constructed profession on defying cynics