DAN WILSON ARTICLES PG. 37
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M's Wilson toils happily in background

Seattle Mariners catcher Dan Wilson has toiled for years in near-obscurity on a team loaded with superstar sluggers. But that's the way he likes it. "I think it's a compliment when you go unnoticed," Wilson said Wednesday after the Mariners' final workout before the exhibition games begin. "I'm just a guy who wants to do my job." It's easy to see how someone who's more steady than stupendous could be overlooked in a clubhouse filled with the likes of Alex Rodriguez, Jay Buhner, Edgar Martinez and the recently departed Ken Griffey Jr. But Wilson's contribution since he was traded to Seattle by Cincinnati after the 1993 season is difficult to ignore. The 30-year-old Wilson's 713 games played place him ninth on Seattle's all-time list and, with his 95th appearance behind the plate this season, he will pass Dave Valle to become the team leader in games caught. Wilson also is ranked ninth in career doubles, RBI and total bases, tied for 10th in career extra-base hits and is 10th in at- bats. He also an inside-the-park home run to his credit. Despite all those credentials, Mariners manager Lou Piniella still views Wilson as a throwback catcher someone who finds more satisfaction in how his pitcher performs than how he looks in the box score. "I call him a caring catcher," Piniella said. "He would rather call a good game and win than put his batting first. He's got a pretty good idea what he's doing out there."



Wilson frustrated with slump

Surrounded by television cameras and reporters, Dan Wilson was at a loss for words. Sure, Seattle had just beaten New York 6-2 in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. But Wilson had demons of his own to confront. The Mariner catcher was 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly yesterday, dropping his career postseason average to .035 (2-for-57). He hasn't had a hit in his last 41 postseason at-bats ``It's frustrating,'' Wilson said. ``There were a couple of situations when I couldn't get runners in that draw definite attention. You've just got to keep playing.'' Wilson's last postseason hit came Oct. 8, 1995 in Game 5 of the AL Division Series against the Yankees, when he was 1-for-4. Yesterday, his best chance for a hit came when he lofted a fly ball in the second inning off New York starter Denny Neagle. But Bernie Williams tracked the ball down in deep center field and Wilson was left with a sacrifice fly, as David Bell advanced to second base. Wilson added a pair of ground-outs and a walk.
After hitting .235 during the regular season and .262 for his career, Wilson is content to wait for his postseason stroke to come around. He tries to make up for his lack of hitting with defense. ``There's two sides of the baseball, offense and defense, and for a catcher it's a little more pronounced,'' Wilson said. ``You can contribute on defense, as well.'' The seven-year Mariner veteran is regarded as a solid defensive catcher, particularly adept at handling pitchers and blocking balls in the dirt. But he's struggled throwing runners out in the postseason against Chicago and New York, with several of his throws to second base sailing to the left of the bag. Wilson insisted he isn't discouraged, he just wants to contribute. ``Each inning is a new inning, especially when calling a game,'' Wilson said. ``You've got to go out on the field and approach it with a clean slate.''


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