Mariners' Kevin Mather resigns after insensitive comments

Kevin Mather, the Mariners’ president and CEO who made headlines after making insensitive remarks about players and other team employees, resigned on Monday, the organization said.

Mather came under fire Sunday for comments made over Zoom to the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club in Wash. on Feb. 5.

He made disparaging remarks about the quality of English spoken by Japanese Mariners scout and ex-pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma, as well as Dominican Mariners prospect Julio Rodriguez. He said veteran Kyle Seager was overpaid and trashed his own Single-A team’s facilities. He also admitted to manipulating service time as a way of keeping top prospects in the minor leagues, naming former Mets draft pick and current Mariner Jarred Kelenic, who isn’t expected to start the season in the big leagues.

“Like all of you, I was extremely disappointed when I learned of Kevin Mather’s comments,” Mariners chairman and managing partner John Stanton said in a statement. “His comments were inappropriate and do not represent our organization’s feelings about our players, staff and fans.

“There is no excuse for what he said, and I won’t try to make one. I offer my sincere apology on behalf of the club and my partners to our players and fans. We must be, and do, better.”