One More for the Road

All-time catchingest Mariners catcher Dan Wilson announced yesterday that he will retire--but not before he attempts to don the tools of ignorance one final time.

It's more reminiscent of the Japanese retirement ceremony than anything we typically see in American baseball, but Wilson, who has missed most of this year with a knee injury, will try to play at least one last inning in the Mariners' final series of the year.

In 12 seasons as a Mariner, Wilson has:
--Caught more games than any Mariner.
--Played more games as a Mariner than all but Edgar, Jr., and Jay.
--Reached the top ten in Mariner career hits, doubles, and RBI.
--Hit 88 home runs, most by a Mariner catcher.

While we often kvetched about his futility with the bat, his expertise with a pitching staff was never questioned. And consider this: before Wilson arrived, the Mariners were perennial losers. With him, they won three A.L West crowns and twice got within two games of reaching the World Series.

And, more importantly, Wilson has used his celebrity as an athlete to promote causes like a school for homeless youth, and his wealth to adopt orphaned children from Eastern Europe. Fellow Mariner Raul Ibanez says of Wilson, in today's Seattle Times: "I'll tell you how much I think of him. ... I would want my son to be just like Dan Wilson when he grows up."

In a show of appreciation, dozens of Mariners employees gathered to give Wilson an ovation as he walked into his retirement press conference yesterday. Wilson, who wasn't expecting it, broke down crying as his wife ran to embrace him.

If his injured knee allows, we'll see Wilson behind the plate one final time. And, on that day, you will permit us to aver that Safeco seems a little dustier than usual.