BRENT STECKER

Culture, collaboration lead to Scott Servais’ extension with Mariners

Jul 20, 2018, 3:05 PM

Scott Servais will be just the third manager in Mariners history to get a crack at four seasons. (A...

Scott Servais will be just the third manager in Mariners history to get a crack at four seasons. (AP)

(AP)

Culture has always been a big word for Mariners manager Scott Servais, but in his first year he was reticent to explain what the team’s culture was because it was still developing.

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On Friday, while talking during a press conference about his multi-year contract extension with the M’s, the third-year skipper had a much easier time talking about the culture that the Mariners have grown.

“When players start freely walking into my office and question some things and ask things without having to go in the corner of the clubhouse and complain – it’s just an open communication – then you feel you’re in a pretty good spot,” he said.

And so Servais, no longer having to worry about the prospect of whether he’ll be the Mariners manager after the 2018 season, can continue to concentrate on fostering that culture.

Exactly three weeks after general manager Jerry Dipoto talked about his own multi-year extension, Dipoto was on stage again Friday – just like he hinted at – to introduce Servais as just the third manager in Mariners history to be ensured a fourth year at the helm of the team.

“We have played 139 one-run games since Scott became the manager. We’ve won 59 percent of those … which is a phenomenal record, and I think that is reflective of good decision-making when the game matters,” said Dipoto, bringing up the fact that Servais said in first press conference after being named manager in 2015 that he expected his teams to play a lot of close games. “2018 is a representation of that and I think it is really a reflection of what Scott’s done in this clubhouse, with this team, at the right time.

“Couldn’t be happier that we get to move forward together and experience this for many more years.”

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Servais was quick to credit other areas of the organization for the success that led to his new deal.

First, the front office.

“Our front office group is fun to work with – work with,” he emphasized. “I think that’s the big thing here. We really work together well. … Huge impact on what we’ve been able to do on the field.”

Then, his coaching staff.

“What our coaching staff has been able to do with that group should not go unnoticed. Our guys work tirelessly preparing, trying to get our guys in a good spot to take advantage of what we have in our clubhouse. Really proud of my coaching staff – would not be here today without them. They mean everything to me, and my development as a manger (is) tied to what they brought to the mix, as well.”

And, of course, the players.

“We have a special group; it’s a group I’m very close with. I love our guys, I love how we play and how we prepare and how we go about things. Really looking forward to what’s ahead of us here in the next two months. We’ve put ourselves in a great position. We’ve talked about bringing playoff baseball back to the Pacific Northwest and we’ve got a shot.”

Servais came to Seattle with no previous managerial experience at any level, but he handled the learning curve and now has the Mariners in position to end a 17-year postseason drought. Not even a full three seasons in, he’s already the fourth-winningest manager in team history and has given the Mariners continuity in on-field leadership not seen since Lou Piniella left following the 2002 season.

“It’s been awesome,” Servais said. “It’s been a crazy 2 ½ years.”

And now it’s guaranteed there is more to come.

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Culture, collaboration lead to Scott Servais’ extension with Mariners