Mariners Greatest Hits: Dan “The Man” Wilson’s Top Outings

August 8th, 1997

On this day in 1997, Dan Wilson made 20 putouts.

It was a Friday night matchup in the in front of 42,000+ excited fans in the Kingdom. The first place Seattle Mariners were facing off against the Chicago White Sox.

On the mound that night for the M’s was a towering figure known as the “big unit”, Randy Johnson. Behind the plate was 28-year-old Dan Wilson.

It was a magical night in the Kingdom, Randy stuck out 19 batters in a complete game shutout, Edgar Martinez, and Ken Griffey Jr. both hit home runs and Dan Wilson tied a Major League record for a catcher with 20 putouts in a game.

Wilson still shares that record with four other catchers to this day.

Wilson’s bat was not as much of a factor in the game as he only got on base once with a walk, but the Mariners didn’t need it as they won effortlessly 5-0 to move to 65-49 on the season.

Wilson’s 20 putouts came from Johnson’s 19 K’s and one putout after a popup from White Sox DH that night Albert Belle.

He had two in the 1st and 2nd, one in the third, three in the 4th, one in the 5th, three in the 6th, two in the seventh, and three in the 8th and 9th.

Future Mariner and teammate of Wilson, Mike Cameron, played right field for the White Sox that night, he struck out four times.