Mariners manager Scott Servais agreed to terms Friday on a multiyear contract extension.Servais, 51, is already the fourth-winningest manager in Mariners history at 222-199 (.527) midway through his third season. He was named as the 20th manager (17th full-time) in Mariners history on Oct. 23, 2015."Scott has created a culture here in Seattle that allows players to be successful," executive vice president and general manager of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said. "They are encouraged to be themselves, which has resulted in a loose environment, while still maintaining the focus on team above self. His leadership has also been evident through the ongoing growth and impact of one of the best coaching staffs in Major League Baseball. "He has been the right leader at the right time for the right team and I look forward to many more years together."
The Mariners are currently 58-39 this season, the fourth-best record in the Major Leagues, and are on pace for a 97-win season and a postseason berth. Since 2016, Servais has the 5th-most wins of any manager; only Joe Maddon (251), AJ Hinch (249), Terry Francona (248) and Dave Roberts (248) have more wins over that span. The Mariners won 86 games in his first year as manager (2016), prior to an injury-plagued 2017 that saw the team limited to 78 wins."I feel fortunate to be given the opportunity to continue to work with an amazing group of players and staff," Servais said. "Our front office is extremely active and very supportive as we work toward bringing a World Series title to a very deserving and passionate fan base."Prior to joining the Mariners, Scott spent the previous 10 years (2006-2015) in high level player development roles. He spent four seasons (2012-2015) as Assistant General Manager, Scouting & Player Development with the Los Angeles Angels and the previous six seasons (2006-2011) as the Texas Rangers Senior Director of Player Development. With the Rangers he was responsible for the on-field development of all players in the Rangers minor league system. He was also responsible for instructing Texas' Major League catchers. Scott spent one season (2005) as a professional scout for the Rockies, after spending the prior two years as a roving catching instructor for the Chicago Cubs (2003-04).Scott had an 11-year Major League playing career (1991-2001) with the Houston Astros (1991-95, 2001), Chicago Cubs (1995-98), San Francisco Giants (1999-2000) and Colorado Rockies (2000). He batted .245 with 130 doubles, 63 home runs and 319 RBI in 820 career MLB games. He ranked among the top-three NL catchers in fielding percentage in three separate seasons.Servais played college baseball at Creighton University (his head coach was former Cubs GM Jim Hendry) and was inducted into the Creighton Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. He was a member of Team USA, winning a Silver Medal in the Pan Am Games in 1987 and a Gold Medal in the 1988 Olympics (Seoul, South Korea). He earned USA Baseball's Alumni Award in 1994.Servais was drafted by the New York Mets in the second round (scout: Terry Ryan) out of high school but did not sign. He was selected in the third round of the 1988 June Draft following his junior year of college. Scott is a native of Coon Valley, WI and graduated from Westby High School (WI) in 1985. Scott and his wife, Jill, have three children: son Tyler and daughters Jacqueline and Victoria.MLB.com
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