1996 Seattle Mariners season
Encyclopedia
The Seattle Mariners
1996 season
was their 20th since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing second in the American League
West
,with a record of 85-76, five games behind the first place Texas Rangers
. The Mariners scored more runs during the 1996 regular season (993) than any other MLB team. In addition, four Mariners scored at least 100 runs and four drove in at least 100 runs.
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
1996 season
1996 Major League Baseball season
*American League Championship Series MVP: Bernie Williams**American League Division Series*National League Championship Series MVP: Javy López**National League Division Series*All-Star Game, July 9 at Veterans Stadium: National League, 6-0; Mike Piazza, MVP...
was their 20th since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing second in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
,with a record of 85-76, five games behind the first place Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. The Mariners scored more runs during the 1996 regular season (993) than any other MLB team. In addition, four Mariners scored at least 100 runs and four drove in at least 100 runs.
Offseason
- November 29, 1995: Mike BlowersMike BlowersMichael Roy Blowers is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and first baseman. He is an alumnus of Bethel High School in Spanaway, Washington, Tacoma Community College and the University of Washington...
was traded by the Mariners to the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
for Willis OtañezWillis OtañezWillis Alexander Otáñez is a former infielder in Major League Baseball. He currently plays for the Broncos de Reynosa of the Mexican League...
and Miguel CairoMiguel CairoMiguel Jesús Cairo is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently with the Cincinnati Reds. He has mostly played second base during his career, but has played every position in baseball except catcher and pitcher. He currently plays mostly third base, in place of Scott Rolen during his...
. - January 23, 1996: Aaron SmallAaron SmallAaron James Small is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is probably best remembered for his short successful stint as a starter for the New York Yankees in ....
was selected off waivers by the Mariners from the Florida MarlinsFlorida MarlinsThe Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. - January 29, 1996: Aaron Small was selected off waivers from the Mariners by the Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. - March 25, 1996: Ricky Jordan was purchased by the Seattle Mariners from the California Angels.
Notable transactions
- April 13, 1996: Félix FermínFelix FerminFélix José Fermín Minaya is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Cleveland Indians , Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs ....
was released by the Mariners. - June 4, 1996: 1996 Major League Baseball Draft1996 Major League Baseball DraftThe 1996 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 4 and 5, 1996...
- Gil MecheGil MecheGilbert Allen Meche is a former right-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Shoulder and back problems caused the former first round pick to retire in at just 32 years old.-Early years:...
was drafted by the Mariners in the 1st round (22nd pick). Player signed June 9, 1996. - Juan PierreJuan PierreJuan D'Vaughn Pierre is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. He bats and throws left-handed....
was drafted by the Mariners in the 48th round, but did not sign. - Sean Spencer was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 40th round of the 1996 amateur draft. Player signed August 26, 1996.
- Gil Meche
- August 1, 1996: Greg PirklGreg PirklGregory Daniel Pirkl is a former Major League Baseball player. He played parts of four seasons in the majors, from to , for the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox. He also played part of for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in Japan.-External links:...
was selected off waivers from the Mariners by the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. - August 14, 1996: Roger Blanco (minors) was traded by the Mariners to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Mark WhitenMark WhitenMark Anthony Whiten is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and switch-hitter batter who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , Cleveland Indians , St. Louis Cardinals , Boston Red Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , Atlanta Braves , Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees...
. - August 22, 1996: Luis SojoLuis SojoLuis Beltrán Sojo Sojo is a former Major League Baseball infielder and right-handed batter who played with the Toronto Blue Jays , California Angels , Seattle Mariners , New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates...
was selected off waivers from the Mariners by the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. - August 29, 1996: The Mariners traded a player to be named later to the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
for Dave HollinsDave HollinsDavid Michael Hollins is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball. He played baseball at Orchard Park High School, where he graduated in 1984. He attended the University of South Carolina. He was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 6th round of the 1987 amateur draft...
. The Mariners completed the deal by sending David OrtizDavid OrtizDavid Américo Ortiz Arias , known as David Ortiz, nicknamed "Big Papi", is a Dominican American professional baseball player who is currently a free agent. Previously, Ortiz played with the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox...
to the Twins on September 13.
Roster
| 1996 Seattle Mariners | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
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Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Diaz Alex Diaz (baseball) Alexis Diaz is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of eight seasons in the majors, from until , for the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros.-External links:... |
38 | 79 | 19 | .241 | 1 | 5 |
Starting pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|
Other pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|
Relief pitchers
| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|
Awards and honors
Alex Rodriguez became the first shortstop in 56 years to win the American League Batting Crown.- Alex Rodriguez, American League Batting Champion