Many of the Mariners in the clubhouse yesterday afternoon watched the in-house feed from the Safeco Field auditorium where Dan Wilson, his voice cracking with emotion, announced his retirement.

Wilson's teammates did not utter a word, but watched in silence born of respect and knowing they were losing one of the best competitors and best teammates they would ever have, one of the classiest men ever to wear a pro uniform in Seattle.

"The original postseason Mariners are going," said Jeff Nelson, who along with Wilson are the only ones left from the amazing 1995 run to the even more amazing postseason. "A lot of things this organization is today started that year. Now, everyone is gone ... or will be gone.

"It makes you realize time is going by so fast. It's sad in some ways. Jay [Buhner] left, Edgar [Martinez] and now Danny. You know they all wanted to go out on a good season and in some ways that didn't happen for them.

"But with Danny, his family was like a huge part of the Mariner family. Good people."

Pitcher Jamie Moyer said he was sorry to see Wilson go. Wilson was the only catcher he worked with for most of his Mariners years.

In his farewell speech, Wilson mentioned Moyer as one of "the two lefties," along with Randy Johnson, for the sharply differing styles of mound artistry he found to be one of the most memorable aspects of his career.

"He adds so much to our organization and our community as a person as well as a player," Moyer said, "and as a family man."

Every player who was asked for their feelings and appreciation of Wilson mentioned him as a family man.

"Danny exudes the qualities that the Seattle organization is all about," Moyer said. "He was pretty quiet, but he was a fierce competitor.

"It'll be a shame not to see him in uniform anymore after this year. But we'll see him around. He will always be part of this organization and this community."

Joel Pineiro recalled Wilson as the first catcher he worked with in the big leagues, when he came up in 2000.

"You come in as a young pitcher and you rely on what they are telling you for scouting reports and all that, but you really rely on what the catcher calls," Pineiro said. "You put so much faith in the catcher because you're scared to shake him off.

"But with Danny you just knew, because of the man he is, because of the calm and sure way he went about the game, that you were in the best hands you could be."

Wilson's words about retiring effective at the end of the season made Pineiro say, "It would be great if he plays again this year. Even if he caught in just one more game, that would be nice."

Manager Mike Hargrove showed his respect for Wilson by standing at the back of the farewell news conference before he had to leave to prepare for the game against the Angels.

"I got a lump in my throat listening to him," Hargrove said. "Dan is one of the good guys of the game. There was nothing phony about Danny and anytime someone like that leaves the game, we're all worse off for it.

"As a competitor, Danny wasn't flashy. He was one of those who made people around him better and there are good players who don't do that."

As to Wilson's desire to play in one more game, Hargrove gave his OK.

"As long as he's healthy that would be great," Hargrove said. "If we can do it, we'd do it at home. There's no point to doing it on the road."

Best guess if that comes about, it would be in a Moyer start.

"I think that would be wonderful," Moyer said. "It would be like old times, although in some ways it wouldn't, would it? We'd do fine, just like always."

Raul Ibanez was another who spoke of Wilson as a person as much as a player.

"He was the best teammate I ever had," the outfielder said. "I tell you how much I think of him. ... I would want my son to be just like Dan Wilson when he grows up."

Mariners may promote Bubela

With Jamal Strong out for the remainder of the season with a broken bone in his left hand, the Mariners are expected to promote outfielder Jaime Bubela from the San Antonio roster.

Bubela stole 40 bases while hitting .292 for the Missions. He will be used primarily as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement.

Seattle will have to make room on the 40-man roster.

The Mariners have four players currently on the 15-day disabled list who could be moved to the 60-day, which does not count against the 40-man roster.

The Mariners have made no move yet with Strong and could also place him on the 60-day DL.

Notes

• Pitcher Gil Meche will throw another bullpen session tomorrow. "If all goes well, we'll get him back pitching again, either a start or following a starter into a game," Hargrove said.

• Wilson took out the lineup card, and the M's noted that their all-time win percentage was 86 points better with him in the lineup: 666-584 in games he was in, 1475-1828 without.

Bob Finnigan: 206-464-8276 or bfinnigan@seattletimes.com