DAN WILSON ARTICLES PG.19
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Model Citizen


As far as Dan Wilson is concerned, his job as a Major League catcher does not end when he pulls off his mask and heads home from the ballpark. Sure, the baseball side of Dan Wilson is impressive enough: one of the most durable and consistent catchers in the game, the former All-Star has earned the admiration and respect of teammates and foes alike with his professionalism and broad knowledge of American League hitters. But every winner he calls behind the plate, every would-be thief he guns down on the base paths, pales in comparison to the contributions he makes away from the ballpark. Welcome to the big picture. In Wilson's world, the big picture always takes center stage. Once you strip away the mask and other gladiator-like tools that have become part of his attire, you will find a soft-spoken Christian man who believes he was put on this earth to do more than catch curveballs. During his seven seasons in Seattle, Wilson has established himself in the community through various charities and organizations, including First Place, a School for homeless children and families. He and his wife, Annie, are members of the school's advisory board. Wilson makes a donation to First Place for every opposing base runner he and backup catcher Tom Lampkin throw out stealing. But perhaps it is simply Wilson's warmness and genuine care for people has been his biggest contribution. "Willie is probably one of the nicest human beings you'll ever meet. He's just an honest guy who cares about his teammates and cares about the people around him," said slugger Jay Buhner. "There aren't a lot of Dan Wilsons in the world." Wilson chatted with Mariners Magazine prior to a late-May Interleague game against Colorado. Later that evening, the man better known for his defense belted a solo home run to help the M's to a 4-1 win over the Rockies.

MM: Tell us about some of the things you do in the community, away from the ballpark.
DW: My wife and I are on the advisory board at First Place School, which serves homeless families and their kids, and gives them an educational day at school and provides social services for the family. That has been a very rewarding experience. We also work with a group called Vision Youth, which helps at-risk kids in the inner-city and helps them stay off the streets and provides mentoring. We've also done things with Children's Hospital and made some school visits during the season and the off-season. The Mariners have been great in facilitating some of that.
MM: You obviously do these things because you enjoy them, but do you feel it is part of your responsibility as a role model?
DW: As Major League ballplayers, we have obviously been very blessed. And out of that comes a responsibility to give something back. People in this society tend to listen to celebrity-type people, so if we can go out and give our time, give a message, anything that people are going to listen to, they are going to understand and follow that example. So it's our responsibility to give back and that's just one of the things we feel is important.
MM: How big a role has your belief in God played during your baseball career?
DW: I wouldn't be here without Him. My family and I have been blessed tremendously through baseball. I think with a lot [of success], comes a lot of responsibility. That's what He tells us. That's really the motivation behind it all.
MM: Are there a lot of Christian ballplayers you have come across, both in your own clubhouse and on opposing teams?
DW: There's a lot of guys. You know, baseball is a tough game. It's a day-to-day game that mirrors life in a lot of ways. So there are a lot of guys who lean on that. It's something that really drives them every day and keeps them going. Baseball can get you down and it can lift you up high. But you need that leveling force every day to keep you going.
MM: Lou Piniella credits you for helping bring along a lot of the young arms around here like Freddy Garcia, John Halama and Gil Meche. And you also work with some veterans, namely Jamie Moyer. How difficult is it for you to get inside these young pitchers' heads, and at the same time is it any less difficult to get inside the head of a guy like Moyer?
DW: With the older pitchers, there is less you have to do with them. Especially with guys like Aaron Sele and Jamie Moyer, veterans like that who have faced these hitters a lot and come out ready to go every time they take the mound. They have experience and are prepared. They know what they want to do when they come to the ballpark. So there is a little bit less preparation. It's more of me getting on the same page with them. With the younger guys, it's a little different. Maybe I can share my knowledge with them more, because they haven't seen the hitters as much. So it's our job to help them through that. We have to get inside their heads a little bit and keep them focused. That's where Jamie and Aaron come in so big in the clubhouse, too. They've been through it and they can share a lot. Our young guys are real open to learning. Plus, there's no substitute for communication�talking about lineups and hitters, then going out and executing.
MM: Offensively, you have had your ups and downs with the Mariners. How do you see your role as a hitter compared to your role as a catcher?
DW: The biggest thing for me is my defense. I think if I can call winners behind the plate and do my job defensively, then that's a big part of my job. But I think whatever I can get out of my offense is key, too. I put a lot of pressure on myself defensively, but I put a lot of pressure on myself offensively, too.
MM: Do you get more satisfaction from throwing out a runner or hitting a double?
DW: Throwing a guy out is more rewarding. Calling a winner and winning the game, for me, is really the greatest. We're back there to help our pitchers win and help our team win, and when we can do that it's a good feeling. If we can contribute offensively, obviously we want to do it. But as a catcher for this club, obviously defense is most important.
MM: Do you watch other catchers like Ivan Rodriguez and Mike Piazza, and do you admire their work?
DW: All ballplayers watch guys throughout the league. Obviously, Pudge Rodriguez is in his own league, offensively and defensively. He's just so quick and has such a strong arm, and what he does with the bat day in and day out is impressive. He's just an incredible player. I think you can watch him and marvel at what he does, but it's difficult to emulate what he does because he's got a different body and a different way of doing things. To try and make that part of your game can take you out of your game. But it is amazing to see the kinds of things he does and the things he accomplishes.
MM: In addition to being an all-state catcher twice in high school (at Barrington, Ill.) and the quarterback of the football team, you also were all-state as a goalie three times in hockey. Can you draw some comparisons between being a goalie and being a catcher?
DW: You mean besides having to wear a lot of equipment? Well, you need good reflexes and quickness, you have to be able to move laterally pretty well, and you need good hands. Both are pretty fun.
MM: What do you want to do with your life when you can't play baseball anymore?
DW: It's something I haven't given much thought to. I haven't finished my college degree. (Wilson studied mechanical engineering at the University of Minnesota before being drafted.) I'd like to finish that first and go from there. But those questions are still down the road a little bit. Hopefully, I've got a few more years before I have to worry about that.

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