The
Seattle Mariners are an American
professional baseball teamBaseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system.-North America:...
based in Seattle,
WashingtonWashington is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Washington was carved out of the western part of Washington Territory which had been ceded by Britain in 1846 by the Oregon Treaty as settlement of the Oregon Boundary Dispute. It was admitted to the Union as the...
. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the
Western DivisionThe 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...
of
Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of play in North American professional baseball. Specifically, Major League Baseball refers to the organization that operates the National League and the American League, by means of a joint organizational structure that has developed gradually between...
's
American LeagueThe 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, that eventually aspired to major league...
.
Safeco FieldSafeco Field, sometimes referred to as Safeco, is a retractable roof baseball stadium located in Seattle, Washington, USA. It is the home stadium of the Seattle Mariners Major League Baseball club, seating 47,116 for baseball...
has been the Mariners' home
ballparkA baseball park, also known as a baseball stadium, ball park, or ballpark is the venue where baseball is played. It consists of the playing field and the surrounding spectator seating....
since July ; from their 1977 inception until June 1999, the club's home park was the
KingdomeThe Kingdome was an indoor sports and entertainment arena owned by King County, Washington and located in Seattle, Washington. It was built in 1972–1976 and operated from 1976 until its demolition in 2000...
.
Overview
The "Mariners" name originates from the prominence of marine culture in the city of Seattle. They are
nicknamed "the
M's", a title featured in their primary logo from 1977 to 1992. The current team colors are
navy blueNavy blue is a very dark shade of the color blue almost appears as black. Navy blue got its name from the dark blue worn by officers in the British Royal Navy since 1748 and subsequently adopted by other navies around the world....
,
tealTeal, also called Teal blue, is a color that is blue and green mixed together. The color gets its name from the fact that it surrounds the eyes of the common teal, a member of the duck family...
, and metallic
silverSilver is the metallic shade resembling gray, closest to that of polished silver.The visual sensation usually associated with the metal silver is its metallic shine. This cannot be reproduced by a simple solid color, because the shiny effect is due to the material's brightness varying with the...
, after having been
royal blueRoyal blue describes both a bright shade and a dark range of blue. It is said to have been invented by millers in Rode, Somerset, a consortium of which won a competition to make a dress for Queen Charlotte....
and
goldGold, also called golden, is an orange-yellow color which is a representation of the color of the element gold.The web color gold is sometimes referred to as golden in order to distinguish it from the color metallic gold...
from 1977–1992. Their
mascotThe term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
is the
Mariner MooseThe Mariner Moose is the team mascot of the Seattle Mariners, a Major League Baseball team. In 1990, a contest for children 14 and under was held to select a mascot for the team under then-owner Jeff Smulyan. Out of 2500 entries received, the club chose the "Mariner Moose," originally submitted by...
.
The organization did not field a winning team until 1991, and any real success eluded them until when they won their first division championship and defeated the
New York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division...
in the
American League Division SeriesIn Major League Baseball, the American League Division Series determines which two teams from the American League will advance to the American League Championship Series...
. The game-winning hit in Game 5 clinched a series win for the Mariners, and has since become an iconic moment in team history. The Mariners share the record for most wins in a single season with 116, which they achieved in . Despite their successes since winning their first division title in 1995, they have never won an AL Pennant championship and remain one of three franchises (the others being the Washington Senators/
Texas RangersThe Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in Texas, representing the Dallas-Ft.Worth metropolitan area. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Rangers have played in Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, located in...
and the
Montreal ExposThe Montreal Expos is the name of a Major League Baseball team that was located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from 1969 until the end of the 2004 season, when the team was moved to Washington, D.C. and became the Washington Nationals....
/
Washington NationalsThe Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly-built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK...
) never to have played in a
World SeriesThe World Series has been the annual championship series of the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada since 1903, concluding the postseason of Major League Baseball...
.
1965–1976: Origins and Formation
Before being awarded a team in Major League Baseball, Seattle had been a staple of the
Pacific Coast LeagueThe Pacific Coast League is a minor league baseball league operating in the West, Midwest, and Southeast of the United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League...
dating back to the late 19th century. The first attempt to land a major league team failed when a bid by William Daley to move the
Cleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field . The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
to Seattle in fell apart. In late 1967, Daley, by then having sold the Indians, led a consortium to win a franchise in the expansion. That team became the
Seattle PilotsThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. The Seattle Pilots, amidst a bevy of financial problems, were sold and relocated to
MilwaukeeMilwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin and 23rd largest in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. Its estimated 2008 population was 604,477. Milwaukee is the main cultural and economic center of the...
for the 1970 season and became the
Milwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
The Mariners were created as a result of a lawsuit. In 1970, in the aftermath of the Pilots' purchase and relocation to Milwaukee by future Commissioner of Baseball
Bud SeligAllan Huber "Bud" Selig is the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, having served in that capacity since 1992 as the acting commissioner, and as the official commissioner since 1998...
, the City of Seattle,
King CountyKing County is located in the U.S. state of Washington. The population in the 2000 census was 1,737,034, and in 2009 was an estimated 1,909,300. By population, King is the largest county in Washington, and the 14th largest in the United States....
, and the state of Washington (represented by then-
State Attorney GeneralThe state Attorney General in each of the 50 U.S. states and territories is the chief legal advisor to the state government and the state's chief law enforcement officer. In some states, the attorney general serves as the head of a state department of justice, with responsibilities similar to those...
Slade GortonThomas Slade Gorton III is an American politician. A Republican, he was a U.S. senator from Washington state from 1981 until 1987, and then from 1989 until 2001. He held both of the state's Senate seats in his career and was narrowly defeated for reelection twice as an incumbent; in 1986 by Brock...
) sued the American League for
breach of contractBreach of contract is a legal concept in which a binding agreement or bargained-for exchange is not honored by one or more of the parties to the contract by non-performance or interference with the other party's performance.- Minor breaches :...
. Confident that Major League Baseball would return to Seattle within a few years, King County built the multi-purpose Kingdome, which would become home to the NFL's expansion
Seattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington, USA. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team, along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, joined the NFL in 1976 as...
in
1976The 1976 NFL season was the 57th regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 28 teams with the addition of the Seattle Seahawks and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
.
The Pilots lawsuit continued until 1976. At trial, the American League offered to give Seattle an expansion baseball franchise in return for dropping the suit, and details were ironed out over the next year. To keep the league with an even number of teams, a formal expansion proceeding was held, with a second team, the
Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League.The "Blue Jays" name originates from the bird of the same name...
, being awarded to the city of
TorontoToronto is the most populous city in Canada and the provincial capital of Ontario. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. With over 2.5 million residents, it is the fifth most populous municipality in North America...
. The new Seattle team, to begin play in , would be owned by entertainer
Danny KayeDanny Kaye was an American award-winning actor, singer and comedian.-Early years:Born David Daniel Kaminsky to Jewish Ukrainian immigrants in Brooklyn, Kaye became one of the world's best-known comedians...
, along with Stanley Golub, Walter Schoenfeld, Lester Smith, James Stillwell Jr. and James A Walsh.
1977–1990: Debut and winning struggles
The Mariners played their first game on April 6, , to a sold-out crowd of 57,762 at the Kingdome, losing 7-0 to the
California AngelsThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The Angels have been based in Angel Stadium of Anaheim since 1966...
. That year, star pitcher
Diego SeguiDiego Pablo Seguí González is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball.From 1962 through 1977, Seguí played for the Kansas City Athletics, Washington Senators, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Pilots, Boston Red Sox, and Seattle Mariners. He batted and threw right-handed...
, in his last major league season, became the only player to play for both the Pilots and the Mariners. The Mariners finished with a 64–98 record, echoing the record the 1969 Pilots once held. In 1979, Seattle hosted the
50th Major League Baseball All-Star GameThe 1979 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 50th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 17, 1979, at The Kingdome in Seattle, Washington the home of the...
. After the 1981 season, the Mariners were sold to California businessman and future U.S. Ambassador to Spain
George ArgyrosGeorge Leon Argyros is the former United States Ambassador to Spain. He is also a successful real estate investor, and was the owner of Major League Baseball's Seattle Mariners from 1980 to 1989.-Early life:...
.
Despite having stars such as Hall of Fame pitcher
Gaylord PerryGaylord Jackson Perry is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991, Perry won 314 games over a 22-year career starting in ....
(nicknamed the "Ancient Mariner"),
American League Rookie of the YearIn Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America . The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946...
Alvin DavisAlvin Glenn Davis is a former Major League Baseball first baseman/designated hitter who played primarily for the Seattle Mariners. He won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 1984....
, two-time
All-StarThe Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
and three-time
Gold GloveThe Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
winner
Harold ReynoldsHarold Craig Reynolds is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball. Reynolds spent the first 10 years of his professional career in the majors with the Seattle Mariners from to...
, three-time American League
strikeoutIn baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters. Pitchers with a greater number of strikeouts are often praised, while batters with a greater number of...
leader
Mark LangstonMark Edward Langston is an American left-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners , Montreal Expos , California and Anaheim Angels , San Diego Padres , and Cleveland Indians .-Baseball career:In 1989, Langston was in a trade which sent him to Montreal and Randy Johnson...
, and shortstop and team captain
Spike OwenSpike Dee Owen is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Seattle Mariners , Boston Red Sox , Montreal Expos , New York Yankees and California Angels...
on their rosters, the Mariners teams of the late 1970s and the entirety of the 1980s were characterized by perennial non-achievement, gaining a reputation for poor performances, low attendance, and losing records. Moreover, the team's ownership again changed hands after the season, as Argyros sold the club to a group headed by communications magnate
Jeff SmulyanJeffrey Smulyan, 60, born in Shelbyville, Indiana is the founder and CEO of Emmis Communications, an Indianapolis—based radio, TV and magazine publishing company with operations in 24 U.S. markets and Hungary, Belgium, Slovakia and Bulgaria. A cum laude graduate of the University of Southern...
. However, the rookie season of center fielder
Ken Griffey, Jr.George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. is a Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter, for the Seattle Mariners....
, acquired with the first overall pick of the amateur draft, gave fans hope that a change of fortunes might be on the horizon. The Mariners finished with a losing record in 1990 to start off the decade.
The first home run in team history was hit on April 10, 1977, by designated hitter Juan Bernhardt.
1991–1992: A glimmer of hope
After yet another dismal performance in , the Mariners managed their first winning season in , finishing 83–79 under manager
Jim LefebvreJames Kenneth Lefebvre is a former second baseman, third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. Lefebvre, the 1965 National League Rookie of the Year, was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 1962. In 1965, his rookie year, he hit .250 with 12 home runs and 69 RBI...
. Though it was the team's best season up to that point, it was only good enough for a fifth-place finish in the seven-team
American League WestThe 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...
in which no team finished under .500, and Lefebvre was fired after 1991. The team hired
Bill PlummerWilliam Francis Plummer was a catcher for the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and the Seattle Mariners. While never a regular player , he did play solid defense...
as Lefebvre's replacement for the season, but he too was let go after a 98-loss campaign in 1992.
After several years of relocation threats by owner
Jeff SmulyanJeffrey Smulyan, 60, born in Shelbyville, Indiana is the founder and CEO of Emmis Communications, an Indianapolis—based radio, TV and magazine publishing company with operations in 24 U.S. markets and Hungary, Belgium, Slovakia and Bulgaria. A cum laude graduate of the University of Southern...
, in the middle of the 1992 season the Mariners were purchased by a group of Seattle-area businessmen, led by
Nintendois a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel...
chairman
Hiroshi Yamauchiis a Japanese businessman. He was the third president of Nintendo, beginning in 1949 until stepping down on May 31, 2002. Yamauchi is credited with transforming Nintendo from a small hanafuda card-making company in Japan to a multi-billion dollar video game company, as it currently is. Yamauchi was...
. The purchase was initially opposed by baseball officials, who objected to a team being owned by a non-North American entity. Eventually, they allowed the sale, provided that the team's presidency and chairmanship remained in the hands of American partners.
1993: The New and Improved Mariners
In 1993, the Mariners donned their current uniforms probably as a result of new ownership. During the 1992-93 offseason, the Mariners hired manager
Lou PiniellaLouis Victor Piniella is the current manager of the Chicago Cubs and a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He has been nicknamed "Sweet Lou," both for his swing as a major league hitter and, facetiously, to describe his demeanor as a player and manager...
, who had led the
Cincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. They are members of the Central Division of the National League....
to victory in the
1990 World SeriesThe 1990 World Series matched the defending champions and heavily-favored Oakland Athletics against the Cincinnati Reds, with the Reds sweeping the Series in four games. It was the most recent National League sweep of the American League. It is remembered for Billy Hatcher's seven consecutive hits...
. Mariner fans embraced Piniella, and he would helm the team from through , winning two American League
Manager of the Year AwardIn Major League Baseball, the Manager of the Year Award is an honor given annually since 1983 to the best managers in the American League and the National League . The winner is voted on by 28 members of the Baseball Writers Association of America . Each places a vote for first, second, and third...
s along the way.
1994 season: The Labor Strike-Shortened Season
The Mariners' fortunes began to improve in . Beginning in the late 1980s, the team had added a core of strong players built around center fielder
Ken Griffey, Jr.George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. is a Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter, for the Seattle Mariners....
, pitcher Randy Johnson, third baseman
Edgar MartínezEdgar Martínez is a former Major League Baseball player who retired at the end of the season. He spent his entire 18-year major league career with the Seattle Mariners...
, and right fielder
Jay BuhnerJay Campbell Buhner , nicknamed "Bone", is a former powerful right-handed hitter in Major League Baseball...
. On July 19, , four 15-pound ceiling tiles fell from the Kingdome roof onto the field and into the stadium's seating bowl. The incident led to uncertainty over whether the Kingdome was fit for use as a major league stadium, and may well have ultimately been a factor leading to the construction of Safeco Field. Unable to play at the venue while repairs were being executed, the Major League Baseball Players' Association rejected the idea of playing games at
Cheney StadiumCheney Stadium, in Tacoma, Washington, is the home field for the Tacoma Rainiers minor-league baseball team of the AAA Pacific Coast League. The stadium opened in 1960, and has a capacity of 9,600...
in
TacomaTacoma is a mid-sized urban port city in and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park...
or BC Place in Vancouver, feeling that games should not be played in non-MLB venues. This forced the Mariners to play their next 20 games on the road over the span of 21 days. The long trip began miserably as the Mariners started off 2–8, but rebounded to win nine of their next ten games, leaving them just 2 games behind the division-leading
Texas RangersThe Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in Texas, representing the Dallas-Ft.Worth metropolitan area. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Rangers have played in Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, located in...
when a players' strike was called on August 12 that resulted in the cancellation of the rest of the season. Many players felt the time together on the road and the overcoming of the adversity faced that season fed directly into the success the team would achieve in the 1995 season. The extended roadtrip resulted in a peculiarity, in which the first game in a series with the
Boston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a member of the Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Since , the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park. The "Red Sox" name originates from the iconic uniform feature....
- which was supposed to be in Seattle - was rained out; if one still counts this as a home game, it would mark the first - and so far only - home rainout in Mariners history.
1995 season: “Refuse to Lose”
Although pitchers
Randy JohnsonRandall David Johnson , nicknamed "The Big Unit", is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Over a 21-year career, Johnson has played for 6 different teams, and currently pitches for the San Francisco Giants....
,
Bill RisleyWilliam Charles Risley , is a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from -. He would play for the Montreal Expos, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners....
, and
Bobby AyalaRobert Joseph "Bobby" Ayala was a pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs and Montreal Expos. He was brought up as a starter before moving to the bullpen in his second season...
combined for an opening-day three-hit
shutoutIn team sports, in American English, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring...
, the Mariners' season started off on a bad note overall, as Griffey sustained a major early-season injury. Despite this loss, the Mariners continued to play fairly well, guided by Piniella. In mid-August, however, the Mariners appeared to be out of contention, 13 games behind the first-place
California AngelsThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The Angels have been based in Angel Stadium of Anaheim since 1966...
.
The tide turned with a September winning streak marked by late-inning comeback wins, which led to their most-known slogan "Refuse to Lose." Combined with an absolute collapse by the Angels, this opened the way for the Mariners to end up tied with the Angels for first place at the end of the regular season, forcing a
one-game playoffThe 1995 American League West tie-breaker game was a one-game playoff for Major League Baseball's AL West division championship, played on October 2, between the California Angels and Seattle Mariners at the Kingdome in Seattle. The game was necessitated due to both teams finishing the...
. The playoff pitted Johnson against Angels ace
Mark LangstonMark Edward Langston is an American left-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners , Montreal Expos , California and Anaheim Angels , San Diego Padres , and Cleveland Indians .-Baseball career:In 1989, Langston was in a trade which sent him to Montreal and Randy Johnson...
, whom, incidentally, the Mariners had traded for Johnson in . Langston ended up on the seat of his pants at homeplate failing to tag out
Luis 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...
who came all the way around after clearing the bases with a ball that got by the Angels first baseman,
J. T. SnowJack Thomas "J. T." Snow, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. He played all but two games in his career as a first baseman, and played nine of his 13½ seasons with the San Francisco Giants...
, rattled around underneath California's bullpen bench, and resulted in a hurried and errant cut-off throw from Langston. The Mariners won the tiebreaker game 9-1 and clinched their first-ever trip to the playoffs. The Mariners had won 25 of their last 36 games.
style="font-size: larger;" | Sojo's playoff hit
|
|
The Mariners lost the first two games of the 1995 American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, but managed to win the next two at home and force a decisive Game 5. Down 5-4 in the bottom of the 11th inning, the most memorable moment in Mariners history took place. Edgar Martínez hit a game-winning double off Yankee ace
Jack McDowellJack Burns McDowell is a former Major League Baseball player. A right-handed pitcher, McDowell won the American League Cy Young Award in 1993. He was nicknamed "Black Jack."...
, scoring
Joey CoraJose Manuel Cora Amaro was a baseball player with an 11 year career in the MLB spanning the years 1987 and 1989-1998. He played for the San Diego Padres of the National League and the Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians of the American League...
and Griffey to win the game 6-5 and advance to the
American League Championship SeriesThe American League Championship Series , the second round of the 1995 American League playoffs, matched the Central Division champion Cleveland Indians against the Western Division champion Seattle Mariners...
. "The Double", as Martínez's clutch hit has since been called by Mariners fans, is credited as being "the moment that saved baseball in Seattle" by generating newly refreshed interest in the team and making a new, baseball-only stadium possible.
Mariner commentator
Dave NiehausDave Niehaus is an American sportscaster. He has been the lead play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball's Seattle Mariners since their inaugural season in 1977.-Early life and career:...
' call on the play is still remembered by many Mariner fans: Although the Mariners' championship run was halted in the ALCS by another up-and-coming club,
Mike HargroveDudley Michael Hargrove is a former Major League Baseball player and manager.A first baseman who batted and threw left-handed, Hargrove played with the Texas Rangers , San Diego Padres , and Cleveland Indians . After retiring, he managed the Indians, Baltimore Orioles, and Seattle Mariners...
's Cleveland Indians, who won the series 4 games to 2, 1995 is remembered as "The Magical Season" and "The Miracle Mariners of 1995" with "The Double" still considered by many the greatest moment in Mariners history.
1996–1999: Lack of Pitching Depth
In , the Mariners, led by Griffey, rookie shortstop
Alex RodriguezAlexander Emmanuel Rodriguez is a Dominican and American professional baseball player. Nicknamed "Alex" or "A-Rod," he currently plays third base for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. He previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered...
, and sluggers
Jay BuhnerJay Campbell Buhner , nicknamed "Bone", is a former powerful right-handed hitter in Major League Baseball...
and Edgar Martínez, won a then-team record 85 games, but missed the playoffs. The offense set the all-time record for most home runs by a team in a season, but ultimately the Mariners' inconsistent pitching, exacerbated by a midseason injury to Randy Johnson, doomed the team.
The Mariners won a division title again in 1997, but were defeated in the 1997 American League Division Series 3 games to 1 by the
Baltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , the Orioles have played their home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The "Orioles" name refers to the official state...
. They were again hurt by a lack of pitching depth to complement the strong offense, which was led by Griffey, who won the
MVP awardThe Most Valuable Player Award is an annual award given to one outstanding player in each league of Major League Baseball...
, a first for both him and the Mariners.
In and 1999, the Mariners had losing records due primarily to their lack of pitching depth. Randy Johnson was traded at the 1998 July non-waiver trading deadline to the
Houston AstrosThe Houston Astros is a major league baseball team located in Houston, Texas. The Astros are a member of the Central Division. From 2000 to the present, the Astros have played their home games at Minute Maid Park . The Astros joined MLB under the name Colt .45s along with the New York Mets in...
after GM Woody Woodard publicly stated he did not intend on offering Johnson (who was a free agent following the 1998 season) a long-term contract. Johnson subsequently requested to be traded. He had been inconsistent during the first half of the season; some fans and press thought he had been trying to force a trade through malaise. Strong pitching from aces
Jeff FasseroJeffrey Joseph Fassero is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Montreal Expos:Fassero was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 22nd round of the amateur draft, but he bounced around in the minors for several years until he caught on with the Montreal Expos in...
and
Jamie MoyerJamie Moyer is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is currently the oldest active player in the major leagues, and has been likened to Phil Niekro....
was not enough to fully offset the loss, and the bullpen's struggles continued. Midway through the 1999 season, the Mariners moved to
Safeco FieldSafeco Field, sometimes referred to as Safeco, is a retractable roof baseball stadium located in Seattle, Washington, USA. It is the home stadium of the Seattle Mariners Major League Baseball club, seating 47,116 for baseball...
. After the 1999 season,
Ken Griffey, Jr.George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. is a Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter, for the Seattle Mariners....
requested and attained a trade to the
Cincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. They are members of the Central Division of the National League....
, leaving
Alex RodriguezAlexander Emmanuel Rodriguez is a Dominican and American professional baseball player. Nicknamed "Alex" or "A-Rod," he currently plays third base for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. He previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered...
as the face of the franchise at the beginning of the high-expectation Safeco Field era, which was during the years 2000-03.
2000: The First Wild Card Berth
was a return to respectability for the Mariners. They finished half a game behind
Oakland 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 Oakland Coliseum....
in the AL West, as they played only 161 games. The tiebreaking rules had already awarded the division crown to Oakland, so the rained out 162nd game was not made up, and the Mariners were declared
wild cardThe term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.-International sports:...
winners. While
Ken Griffey, Jr.George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. is a Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter, for the Seattle Mariners....
was no longer patrolling center or anchoring the middle of the batting order, his replacement,
Mike CameronMichael Terrance Cameron is an outfielder in Major League Baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers.-High school:Cameron attended LaGrange High School in LaGrange, Georgia, and was a letterman in baseball....
, was noted for his solid hitting and exceptional glovework (he would go on to win two Gold Gloves with the team).
Alex RodriguezAlexander Emmanuel Rodriguez is a Dominican and American professional baseball player. Nicknamed "Alex" or "A-Rod," he currently plays third base for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. He previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered...
replaced Junior as the face of the franchise in 2000. Edgar Martínez continued his steady hitting in the cleanup spot, putting up a career high in homers. Both finished in the top six in MVP voting. A key addition to the team occurred when the Mariners signed the one-time AL Batting Champion
John OlerudJohn Garrett Olerud , is a former American first baseman in Major League Baseball...
, a
Washington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university and confers bachelor's, master's, professional and doctoral degrees, and offers...
graduate, to play first base. Olerud would enjoy some of his best seasons in Seattle, and played a huge part in the team's success the following year.
Jamie MoyerJamie Moyer is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is currently the oldest active player in the major leagues, and has been likened to Phil Niekro....
,
Freddy GarciaFreddy Antonio García is a Venezuelan-American baseball player. He is a right-handed starting pitcher who is with the Chicago White Sox. During his major league career, he pitched for the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and Detroit Tigers. García throws a fastball that...
, and
Aaron SeleAaron Helmer Sele is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is currently the minor league pitching instructor for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Early years:...
anchored what was easily the most successful rotation in Seattle since the departure of Randy Johnson. Closer
Kazuhiro SasakiKazuhiro "Daimajin" Sasaki is a retired relief pitcher. In his prime, he was one of the premier relievers of both Japanese and American professional baseball...
, previously a star for the Japanese
Yokohama BayStarsThe are a professional baseball team in the Japanese Central League. Home field is the Yokohama Stadium, located in central Yokohama. The clubhouse is located near the stadium....
, won the AL
Rookie of the Year awardIn Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America . The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946...
. Stolen base king and former MVP
Rickey HendersonRickey Henley Henderson is a former baseball player who played left field in Major League Baseball for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his first team, the Oakland Athletics...
was acquired midseason and filled longtime needs in left field and in the leadoff slot. The Mariners swept the
Chicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in the ALDS, but lost to the New York Yankees in six games in the ALCS.
The following offseason was one of the most significant in Mariners history, as Rodríguez was up for
free agencyIn professional sports, a free agent is a player, whose contract with a team has expired, who's eligible to sign with another franchise. The term came into wide use in North America after sports leagues stopped using a "reserve clause" after much acrimonious collective bargaining, which provided a...
. Ultimately, Rodríguez was lost to the
Texas RangersThe Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in Texas, representing the Dallas-Ft.Worth metropolitan area. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Rangers have played in Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, located in...
for what was then the richest contract ever in professional sports. However, the Mariners were able to weather the loss by adding Japanese superstar
Ichiro Suzuki, often known simply as , is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro has established a number of batting records, including the sport's single-season record for base hits with 262...
and slick fielding, power hitting second base veteran
Bret BooneBret Robert Boone is a former Major League Baseball second baseman.-Personal life:Boone was born in El Cajon, California to Susan G. Roel and Bob Boone. He is a graduate of El Dorado High School and the University of Southern California. He is the grandson of former major leaguer Ray Boone and...
.
2001: AL record with 116 wins
In , the addition of Ichiro and a career season by Boone helped the Mariners to tie the record for most wins in the modern era. This was despite the loss of A-Rod, who would be greeted on his return to Safeco with
MonopolyMonopoly is a board game published by Parker Brothers, a subsidiary of Hasbro. The game is named after the economic concept of monopoly, the domination of a market by a single entity....
money dropped by unusually irate Seattle fans, and on subsequent returns by incessant booing. The 2001 Mariners led the major leagues in winning percentage all season long, easily winning the American League West division championship, breaking the
1998 YankeesThe New York Yankees' 1998 season was the 96th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a franchise record regular-season standing of 114-48, 22 games ahead of the second-place Boston Red Sox in the American League East...
American League single-season record of 114 wins, and matching the Major League Baseball record for single-season wins of 116 set by the
Chicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago , the Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the...
in . At the end of the season, Ichiro won the AL
MVPThe Most Valuable Player Award is an annual award given to one outstanding player in each league of Major League Baseball...
, AL
Rookie of the YearIn Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America . The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946...
, and one of three outfield
Gold Glove AwardThe Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
s, becoming the first player since the
Boston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a member of the Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Since , the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park. The "Red Sox" name originates from the iconic uniform feature....
's
Fred LynnFrederic Michael "Fred" Lynn is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox , California Angels , Baltimore Orioles , Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres .Fred Lynn was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in and to the College...
to win all three in the same season. He has been the subject of several books (including one released in the summer of 2001 that consists solely of his zen-like quotations).
The Mariners pulled off a come-from-behind 3-2 series win over the Cleveland Indians in the
Division SeriesThe American League Division Series , the opening round of the 2001 American League playoffs, began on Tuesday, October 9, and ended on Monday, October 15, with the champions of the three AL divisions—along with a "wild card" team—participating in two best-of-five series. The teams were:* Seattle...
to advance to the
American League Championship SeriesThe American League Championship Series was a rematch of the 2000 ALCS between the New York Yankees, who had come off a dramatic comeback against the Oakland Athletics in the Division Series after being down two games to zero, and the Seattle Mariners, who won an American League record 116...
to have a rematch with the New York Yankees, but succumbed to the Yankees for the second year in a row in the ALCS, 4 games to 1. The Mariners also hosted the
All-Star GameThe Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
that year, and had a league-leading and team record eight All-Stars: RF Ichiro Suzuki, DH Edgar Martínez, CF Mike Cameron, 2B Bret Boone, 1B
John OlerudJohn Garrett Olerud , is a former American first baseman in Major League Baseball...
, and pitchers Freddy Garcia, Kazuhiro Sasaki, and
Jeff NelsonJeffrey Allan Nelson , was a middle relief pitcher. He batted and threw right-handed. Nelson retired on January 12, 2007, the same day he signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees...
.
2002: Last Year of Lou
The Mariners started the season hot (they were on pace to win 100+ games again well into the summer), but they missed out on the playoffs. This was widely attributed to their failure to find a substantial contributor at the trade deadline and hot streaks by the
Anaheim AngelsThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The Angels have been based in Angel Stadium of Anaheim since 1966...
and
Oakland 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 Oakland Coliseum....
in the later months of the season. Ultimately, the Angels won the World Series as the Mariners won 93 games, which was still the second best total in their history. At the end of the season, manager
Lou PiniellaLouis Victor Piniella is the current manager of the Chicago Cubs and a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He has been nicknamed "Sweet Lou," both for his swing as a major league hitter and, facetiously, to describe his demeanor as a player and manager...
left the Mariners to manage his hometown
Tampa Bay Devil RaysThe Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball franchise based in St. Petersburg, Florida, and are the defending American League champions. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League...
, reportedly due to his anger with management; Piniella believed that management was more concerned with the bottom line than acquiring quality players.
2003: New Manager Melvin Continues the Momentum
The Mariners signed
Bob MelvinRobert Paul Melvin is a former Major League Baseball catcher and manager. He most recently served as manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, from 2005 until his firing on May 7, 2009...
to be their new manager. The local press speculated that a first year manager (especially someone more even-tempered than the fiery Piniella) would be easier for the front office and ownership to control.
The Mariners again got off to an excellent start in the season. They contended all season long and reached the same record as in 2002, but were again beaten to the playoffs by their division rival
Oakland 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 Oakland Coliseum....
, highlighted by a six-game losing streak in late August that saw their lead evaporate, which they would never recover. Their failure to make the playoffs was again blamed on management's inability to bring in a bat at the trading deadline and the aging roster's decline. Notably, the debate was started by pitcher
Jeff NelsonJeffrey Allan Nelson , was a middle relief pitcher. He batted and threw right-handed. Nelson retired on January 12, 2007, the same day he signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees...
, who was himself traded after criticizing the front office's deadline inactivity. General manager
Pat GillickPat Gillick was the general manager of four Major League Baseball teams. He guided teams to three World Series championships in his career: 1992 and 1993 titles with the Toronto Blue Jays, and a 2008 title with the Philadelphia Phillies.-Early life:...
became a consultant midway through the offseason to make room for new GM
Bill BavasiWilliam J. Bavasi, born in Scarsdale, New York, is a former general manager and vice president of baseball operations for the Seattle Mariners, and currently works as a Special Assistant to the GM for the Cincinnati Reds, under Reds GM Walt Jocketty...
.
2004–2006: Yet Another Dry Spell
With the exception of the 1998 and 1999 seasons, the Mariners had been annual challengers for the AL West title from 1995 through 2003. The season, however, saw the fall of the Mariners from contention. With an aging roster, the Mariners went into the All-Star Break with a 9-game losing streak, and a 32-54 season record (.372) 17 games behind the first-place Texas Rangers. After the All-Star break, unable to ignore the dreadful state of their team, the Mariners gave the team a complete overhaul, trading
Freddy GarcíaFreddy Antonio García is a Venezuelan-American baseball player. He is a right-handed starting pitcher who is with the Chicago White Sox. During his major league career, he pitched for the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and Detroit Tigers. García throws a fastball that...
to the
Chicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for
Miguel OlivoMiguel Eduardo Olivo is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Kansas City Royals. Olivo is 6' 0" tall and weighs 220 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed....
,
Jeremy ReedJeremy Thomas Reed is an American professional baseball player. He currently plays outfielder for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
, and
Mike MorseMichael John Morse is a Major League Baseball utility player for the Washington Nationals. He was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 3rd Round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft...
and moving aging and struggling players away from center stage (most notably, releasing Gold Glover and fan favorite John Olerud) and inserting over a dozen
minor leagueMinor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in North America that compete at levels below that of Major League Baseball. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses, and many are members of Minor League Baseball, an umbrella organization for leagues...
call-ups into the 25-man roster. The season's end was enlivened by Ichiro breaking
George SislerGeorge Harold Sisler , nicknamed "Gorgeous George," was an American baseball player who played Major League Baseball for fifteen seasons, primarily as a first baseman with the St. Louis Browns. Although his career ended in , from until , Sisler held the MLB record for most hits in a single season...
's single season record of 257 hits (finishing with 262) and by events honoring the retirement of Mariner icon
Edgar MartínezEdgar Martínez is a former Major League Baseball player who retired at the end of the season. He spent his entire 18-year major league career with the Seattle Mariners...
. Just days after the end of the season, the Mariners fired manager Bob Melvin. On October 20, , the Mariners announced the signing of
Mike HargroveDudley Michael Hargrove is a former Major League Baseball player and manager.A first baseman who batted and threw left-handed, Hargrove played with the Texas Rangers , San Diego Padres , and Cleveland Indians . After retiring, he managed the Indians, Baltimore Orioles, and Seattle Mariners...
, who had led the Cleveland Indians past the Mariners in the
1995 ALCSThe American League Championship Series , the second round of the 1995 American League playoffs, matched the Central Division champion Cleveland Indians against the Western Division champion Seattle Mariners...
, as their new manager. In the offseason, the Mariners and Bavasi surprised fans and the local press by signing two premier free agents, third baseman
Adrián BeltréAdrián Beltré Pérez is a Major League Baseball third baseman who plays for the Seattle Mariners. Previously, he played for the Los Angeles Dodgers . He bats and throws right-handed....
and first baseman
Richie SexsonRichmond Lockwood "Richie" Sexson is an American first baseman. Standing at 6 feet 8 inches tall, he is the tallest position player in the history of Major League Baseball.-High school career:...
, ending some accusations from fans that the organization was only willing to make piecemeal signings and trades.
On November 26, 2004, the owner of the Mariners changed: Hiroshi Yamauchi sold his 54 % stake to Nintendo of America.
Despite several personnel changes and free-agent signings after the 2004 season, the team stayed at the bottom of the divisional standings throughout the 2005 season and finished in last place, though they improved their record by six games compared to the previous year. The brightest spot of the season was the emergence of 19-year-old
VenezuelaVenezuela , officially titled Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It is a continental mainland with numerous islands located off its coastline in the Caribbean Sea...
n pitching prospect
Félix HernándezFélix Abraham Hernández is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. He is already considered the Mariners' top pitcher at only 23 years of age....
, who became the youngest major leaguer to debut since
Jose RijoJosé Antonio Rijo Abreu is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who spent the majority of his career with the Cincinnati Reds .- Playing career :...
entered the league with the New York Yankees in . Sexson also played very well, hitting 39 home runs and 121 RBI. Stars Ichiro and Beltre, however, did not reach their high levels of offensive production from 2004, and 2B Bret Boone was released before the All-Star break. Along with Hernandez, two rookie middle infielders became part of the Mariners' long term plans:
CubaThe Republic of Cuba is an island country in the Caribbean. It consists of the island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city. Cuba is home to over 11 million people and is...
n defector and shortstop
Yuniesky BetancourtYuniesky Betancourt is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Kansas City Royals. He resides in Boca Raton, Florida.-Cuban leagues:...
and Venezuelan second baseman and former top prospect José López became the next season's starters. However, the Mariners' rotation beyond Hernandez and the aging Jamie Moyer was poor, and the Mariners suffered the embarrassment of having the most suspendees under MLB's new
drug testA drug test is a technical analysis of a biological specimen - urine, hair, blood, sweat, or oral fluid / saliva - to determine the presence or absence of specified parent drugs or their metabolites....
ing policy, notably pitcher
Ryan FranklinRyan Ray Franklin is a Major League Baseball player. Franklin is a right-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
and IF/OF Mike Morse. During the 2005–2006 off-season, Ichiro spoke out and criticized the team's attitude, pointing out its lack of leadership and manager Hargrove's failure to harness players.
The Mariners began the 2005–2006 off-season by signing star Japanese catcher
Kenji JohjimaKenji Johjima is a catcher who is currently a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball for four years with the Seattle Mariners in the American League....
to a 3-year deal and left-handed starter
Jarrod WashburnJarrod Michael Washburn is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers.-Career:Washburn attended the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh...
(formerly of division rival
Los AngelesThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The Angels have been based in Angel Stadium of Anaheim since 1966...
) to a 4-year deal. Designated hitter
Carl EverettCarl Edward Everett III is a former Major League Baseball outfielder currently playing for the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League. A switch hitter, he played with the Chicago White Sox on their 2005 World Series winning team...
and outfielder
Matt LawtonMatthew Lawton III is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Minnesota Twins , New York Mets , Cleveland Indians , Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago Cubs , New York Yankees , and Seattle Mariners . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.Lawton was born in Gulfport,...
also joined the team, although both would finish the season out of baseball. The Mariners entered the All-Star Break 2.5 games out of first place in the AL West with a 43-46 record. Despite remaining in contention within the AL West through July, a disastrous 0-11 road trip in mid-August signaled the end of the Mariners' playoff hopes, leaving them in last place, where they would finish the season. Pitcher Jamie Moyer was traded to the
Philadelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and are the defending World Series champions. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern...
for a pair of minor league prospects, and weeks later bench coach
Ron HasseyRonald William Hassey is a retired Major League Baseball catcher. Hassey began his career with the Cleveland Indians after the Indians drafted him in the 18th round of the 1976 MLB amateur draft...
and administrative coach
Dan RohnDaniel Jay Rohn is a former infielder and administrative coach in Major League Baseball. Rohn was drafted as a second baseman by the Chicago Cubs in the 4th round of the 1977 amateur draft, and made his major league debut on September 2, 1983...
—whom many viewed as a prime candidate to replace Hargrove as manager—were removed from their positions with the team. At season's end, the Mariners had only narrowly avoided losing 90 games for the third consecutive year. While the team entered the 2006–2007 off-season with some young talent in key positions, many questions remained as to the consistency of their offense and, more importantly, the strength of their starting pitching staff.
2007: Another glimmer of hope
The 2007 season began with a sense of muted optimism. While the team had a busy off-season in terms of changes to the roster, fans questioned player transactions that moved young, potential-filled players (
Rafael SorianoRafael Soriano is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. He made his Major League debut with the Seattle Mariners on May 5, . He bats and throws right-handed...
,
Chris SnellingChristopher Doyle Snelling is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Seattle Mariners:Snelling was signed as an amateur free agent out of Australia by the Seattle Mariners on March 2, . He quickly established himself as the franchise's top position prospect in the system...
) in favor of veterans who have suffered injuries in recent seasons (
José GuillénJosé Manuel Guillén is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Kansas City Royals. Guillen is viewed as somewhat of a controversial player.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
,
José VidroJosé Angel Vidro is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent. He is a switch hitter and throws right-handed.-Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals:...
,
Horacio RamírezHoracio Ramírez is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals organization. His parents emigrated from Jalostotitlan, Jalisco, Mexico....
) or who have achieved mediocre success in the past with other clubs (
Miguel BatistaMiguel Descartes Batista Jerez is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners and author.-Arizona Diamondbacks:...
,
Jeff WeaverJeffrey Charles Weaver is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has pitched in the majors for the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, St...
). These transactions followed CEO Howard Lincoln's remarks at the completion of the 2006 campaign that GM Bill Bavasi and manager Mike Hargrove were on his "hot seat" and needed to produce more wins in 2007. Further magnifying the need to win was outfielder Ichiro Suzuki's suggestion at the beginning of spring training that he may have an interest in testing free-agency waters when his contract is completed at the end of the season if the Mariners continue to struggle on the field.
After two and a half seasons with the Mariners and while guiding the team to a 44–33 record in the 2007 season,
Mike HargroveDudley Michael Hargrove is a former Major League Baseball player and manager.A first baseman who batted and threw left-handed, Hargrove played with the Texas Rangers , San Diego Padres , and Cleveland Indians . After retiring, he managed the Indians, Baltimore Orioles, and Seattle Mariners...
unexpectedly announced before the July 1 2007 game against the
Toronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League.The "Blue Jays" name originates from the bird of the same name...
that the game would be his last as the Mariners' manager. Hargrove said that he could no longer provide the commitment from himself that he was expecting of his players and coaches. Bench coach
John McLarenJohn Lowell McLaren is a former coach and manager in Major League Baseball, presently employed as a scout for the Tampa Bay Rays organization....
was announced as Hargrove's replacement. On July 13, Ichiro Suzuki signed a 5-year, 90-million-dollar contract with the Mariners that will extend to 2012. With minor league prospect
Adam JonesAdam LaMarque Jones is an outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles. He was originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners with the 37th pick of the Major League Baseball Draft as a shortstop/right-handed pitcher...
playing well and a fairly consistent offense and pitching staff, the 2007 Mariners were back in contention in the AL West and AL Wild Card races. However, a 3–15 stretch late in the season effectively ended the Mariners' 2007 playoff hopes. The Mariners were mathematically eliminated from contention on September 24. One highlight during this stretch, however, was the home run that gave Ichiro Suzuki 200 hits for his seventh consecutive 200-hit season; Ichiro is only the third player in MLB history with seven consecutive 200-hit seasons, and the first to do it in his first seven seasons.
2008: High hopes turn into failure
Heading into the 2008 season, the Mariners hoped to capitalize on their 2007 success by bolstering their roster to position themselves to once again challenge the Angels for the AL West championship. They dramatically transformed their pitching staff, adding free agent
Carlos SilvaCarlos Silva is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Seattle Mariners. Previously, he played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins...
and trading a package of players led by
George SherrillGeorge Friederich Sherrill , also known as "The Gangsta-Redneck", "The Brim Reaper", "Flat Breezy", and "Duckbill" , is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Career:Sherrill was not drafted after graduating from Austin Peay...
and
Adam JonesAdam LaMarque Jones is an outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles. He was originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners with the 37th pick of the Major League Baseball Draft as a shortstop/right-handed pitcher...
to the
Baltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , the Orioles have played their home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The "Orioles" name refers to the official state...
on February 8 for
Erik BedardÉrik Joseph Bédard is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners....
. Other additions included outfielder
Brad WilkersonStephen Bradley Wilkerson is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman. Previously, Wilkerson played with the Montreal Expos, Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and Toronto Blue Jays...
and infielder
Miguel CairoMiguel Jesús Cairo is a Major League Baseball utility player for the Philadelphia Phillies. He has mostly played second base during his career, but has played every position in baseball except catcher and pitcher.-Playing career:Cairo was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles...
, as well as a new coaching staff under McLaren featuring former MLB managers
Jim RigglemanJames David Riggleman is the manager of the Washington Nationals. He attended Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland, and Frostburg State University.-Coaching and managing career:...
,
Sam PerlozzoSamuel Benedict Perlozzo is a former second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball, most recently with the Baltimore Orioles...
,
Lee EliaLee Constantine Elia is a former professional baseball player and manager in Major League Baseball. He was a manager of the Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies . Additionally, he has served as a coach for the Phillies, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and...
, and pitching coach
Mel StottlemyreMelvin Leon Stottlemyre, Sr. is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and pitching coach. He played 11 years in the Major Leagues, all of them with the New York Yankees. After his playing career, Stottlemyre worked as pitching coach with the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Houston Astros, and...
. Also added to the major league coaching staff was bullpen coach
Norm CharltonNorman Wood Charlton III , nicknamed "The Sheriff", is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds , Seattle Mariners , Philadelphia Phillies , Baltimore Orioles , Atlanta Braves , and Tampa Bay Devil Rays .Charlton holds three degrees from Rice University.The left-handed...
, a member of the 1995, 1997, and 2001 AL West title teams, as well as
Eddie RodriguezEduardo "Eddie" Rodriguez is a former minor league baseball player and manager and the former 1st base coach for Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball.-Playing career:...
, previously manager of the Mariners' Class AA
minor leagueMinor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in North America that compete at levels below that of Major League Baseball. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses, and many are members of Minor League Baseball, an umbrella organization for leagues...
affiliate. Hitting coach
Jeff PentlandJeffrey William Pentland is a Major League Baseball coach presently employed as the roving hitting instructor for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Before being hired to his present assignment in Los Angeles, Pentland worked as the hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs , Kansas City Royals , and Seattle...
remained as the only coach hired under Hargrove.
Despite their offseason additions, the 2008 Mariners featured one of the league's worst offenses. In April, the club attempted to solve some of its offensive woes by designating Wilkerson and pinch hitter Greg Norton for assignment. The offensive struggles, in concert with defensive lapses and inconsistent pitching from both the bullpen and the starting rotation, led the team to last place by the end of April despite an Opening Day payroll of nearly $117 million. On June 8, the Mariners held the worst record in baseball with a .349 winning percentage, and were on pace for 105 losses and the worst record in team history. Hitting coach Pentland was fired on June 9 and was replaced by Lee Elia, who was previously the Mariners' hitting instructor from 1993-1997. Following a 1–5 homestand, general manager Bill Bavasi was dismissed on June 16 and replaced by
Lee PelekoudasLee Pelekoudas is a former executive with the Seattle Mariners Major League Baseball club, most notable for serving as the club's interim general manager from June 16–October 21,...
on an interim basis. Pelekoudas had held various front office positions with the Mariners since 1980, most recently as vice president/assistant general manager. The purge continued on June 19, when John McLaren was dismissed from his position and replaced by bench coach Jim Riggleman. Personnel moves of that sort were not limited to coaches and front office personnel in 2008, as
Richie SexsonRichmond Lockwood "Richie" Sexson is an American first baseman. Standing at 6 feet 8 inches tall, he is the tallest position player in the history of Major League Baseball.-High school career:...
and
Jose VidroJosé Angel Vidro is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent. He is a switch hitter and throws right-handed.-Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals:...
were released in July and August, respectively. On September 1, the Mariners were the first team in baseball mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. They finished the season with 101 losses, only one fewer than the MLB-worst
Washington NationalsThe Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly-built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK...
.
2008 did have a handful of noteworthy achievements, however: On June 23, pitcher Félix Hernández hit a
grand slamIn the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all the bases occupied by baserunners, thereby scoring four runs - the most possible on a single play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
off of the
New York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. The Mets are a member of the East Division of Major League Baseball's National League....
'
Johan SantanaJohan Alexander Santana is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher who plays for the New York Mets.He is a two-time Cy Young award winner...
, becoming the first pitcher in franchise history to hit a home run, as well as the first AL pitcher to hit a grand slam since 1971 (and the first ever in modern
Interleague playInterleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...
). On September 1,
third basemanA third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
Adrián BeltréAdrián Beltré Pérez is a Major League Baseball third baseman who plays for the Seattle Mariners. Previously, he played for the Los Angeles Dodgers . He bats and throws right-handed....
became the fourth Mariner to
hit for the cycleIn baseball, a player hits for the cycle when he hits a single, a double, a triple and a home run in the same game, though not necessarily in that order...
. Beltré's cycle came hours after
Stephen DrewStephen Oris Drew is a shortstop in Major League Baseball who plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks.Drew went to Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia...
of the
Arizona DiamondbacksThe Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
hit for the cycle, marking the second time in MLB history – and the first since 1920 – that two players accomplished the feat on the same day. On September 17, Ichiro tied
Willie KeelerWilliam Henry Keeler in Brooklyn, New York, nicknamed "Wee Willie", was a right fielder in professional baseball who played from 1892 to 1910, primarily for the Baltimore Orioles and Brooklyn Superbas in the National League, and the New York Highlanders in the American League.- Biography :Keeler...
's record of 8 consecutive 200-hit seasons, matching a mark that has stood since 1901.
2009–present: A New Day, A New Way, and the return of "The Kid"
On October 22, 2008 the Mariners announced the hiring of
Jack ZduriencikJohn A. “Jack” Zduriencik is the General Manager of Major League Baseball's Seattle Mariners. He has developed a reputation as a baseball executive who excels in finding, drafting, and developing talented young ballplayers.-Career:Jack Zduriencik began his career in professional baseball as a...
, formerly
scoutingProfessional sports scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
director of the
Milwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, as their general manager. Weeks later, on November 18, the team named
Oakland 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 Oakland Coliseum....
bench coach
Don WakamatsuWilbur Donald "Don" Wakamatsu is a former catcher and coach in Major League Baseball.On November 19, 2008, Wakamatsu was named the manager of the Seattle Mariners, becoming the 16th manager in club history...
as its new field manager. Wakamatsu and Zduriencik hired an entirely new coaching staff for 2009, which included former World Series MVP
John WettelandJohn Karl Wetteland is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, who pitched as a closer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers...
as bullpen coach. The off-season also saw a litany of roster moves, headlined by a 12-player, 3-team trade that included sending All-Star closer
J.J. PutzJoseph Jason "J. J." Putz is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Mets.-High school:Born in Trenton, Michigan, Putz led Trenton High School to the 1994 Division 2 state championship. He graduated in 1995 and won the Mr...
to the
New York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. The Mets are a member of the East Division of Major League Baseball's National League....
and brought 5 players—including prospect
Mike CarpChristopher Michael Carp is a Major League Baseball player for the Seattle Mariners.-Professional career:...
and outfielder
Endy ChavezEndy Chávez is an outfielder in Major League Baseball for the Seattle Mariners....
from New York and outfielder
Franklin GutierrezFranklin Rafael Gutiérrez is an outfielder for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed.-Cleveland Indians:...
from the
Cleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field . The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
—to Seattle. Many of the moves, like the free agent signing of
Mike SweeneyMichael "Mike" Sweeney is a Major League baseball player, currently a member of the Seattle Mariners. Sweeney played his first 12 years in the majors with the Kansas City Royals, originally as a catcher and then moving to third base...
, were made in part with the hope of squelching the clubhouse infighting that plagued the Mariners in 2008.
On February 18, the Mariners signed
Ken Griffey, Jr.George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. is a Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter, for the Seattle Mariners....
to a one-year contract, returning him to the city where he played from 1989–1999 and was named a member of the All-Century Team. Griffey was re-issued his old uniform number, 24, which had not been issued to any on-field personnel since his February 2000 trade to Cincinnati. On April 15, Griffey hit his 400th home run in a Mariners uniform, becoming the only player to hit 400 home runs with one club (Seattle) and 200 with another (Cincinnati).
On March 31, Ichiro was placed on the 15-day
disabled listIn Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
for the first time in his Major League career, after being diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer; on April 15, he hit a grand slam in the first game upon his return from the DL. On April 16, Ichiro recorded his 3,086th
hitIn baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in a combined career between Nippon Professional Baseball and
Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of play in North American professional baseball. Specifically, Major League Baseball refers to the organization that operates the National League and the American League, by means of a joint organizational structure that has developed gradually between...
, breaking the record among
Japanis an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese-born professional players previously held by
Isao HarimotoIsao Harimoto is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player and holder of the record for most hits in the Japanese professional leagues. An ethnic Korean, his birth name is Jang Hun...
, who attended the game in Seattle.
On, September 16, Ichiro hit his 200th hit for the ninth consecutive season, eclipsing the record held by "Wee"
Willie KeelerWilliam Henry Keeler in Brooklyn, New York, nicknamed "Wee Willie", was a right fielder in professional baseball who played from 1892 to 1910, primarily for the Baltimore Orioles and Brooklyn Superbas in the National League, and the New York Highlanders in the American League.- Biography :Keeler...
. On October 4, the final game of the year, Felix Hernandez continued his Cy Young candidacy, and won his 19th game, the 85th for the Mariners. Mariners legend
Ken Griffey, Jr.George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. is a Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter, for the Seattle Mariners....
hit a single in the 8th inning and was lifted for pinch-runner Michael Saunders, to a long standing ovation, in perhaps the final at-bat of his Hall of Fame career. The Mariners became the 13th team in MLB history to have a winning season after losing 100+ games the previous season. After the final out, fans saluted the much-improved Mariners, having won 24 more games than the year before. The team took a victory lap around the park in return, which ended with the team carrying Griffey (and eventually Ichiro) on their shoulders, before leaving the field.
Spring training
The team mainly plays spring training games in the
Peoria Sports ComplexThe Peoria Sports Complex is a baseball complex located in Peoria, Arizona, near Peoria's main shopping district on Bell Road. It consists of the main baseball stadium and twelve practice fields. It is one of five facilities to host Arizona Fall League games...
in
Peoria, ArizonaPeoria is a city in Maricopa and Yavapai counties in the U.S. state of Arizona. Located primarily in Maricopa County, it is a major suburb of Phoenix. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 142,024. Peoria is currently the fourth largest city in the state of...
. They share the complex and stadium with the
San Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times.The Padres are one of four teams...
.
Season records
This is a partial list listing the past ten completed regular seasons. For the full season records, see hereThe Seattle Mariners have completed 33 seasons of professional baseball in the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League since they began play in 1977. From 1977 until June 27, 1999, the Mariners played in Seattle's Kingdome. Since July 15, 1999, the Mariners have played at Safeco...
.
| Year |
Record |
Win % |
Place |
Playoffs |
Notes |
| 1998 The Seattle Mariners 1998 season was their 22nd since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing 3rd in the American League West, finishing with a record of 76-85.-Offseason:...
|
76–85 |
.472 |
3rd in AL West |
|
|
| 1999 The Seattle Mariners 1999 season was their 23rd since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing 3rd in the American League West, finishing with a record of 79-83. In July, they moved into Safeco Field, replacing the Kingdome as their home...
|
79–83 |
.488 |
3rd in AL West |
|
|
| 2000 The Seattle Mariners' 2000 season was the franchise's 24th, and ended with the Mariners losing the American League Championship Series to the New York Yankees in 6 games....
|
91–71 |
.562 |
2nd in AL West |
Won ALDS The American League Division Series , the opening round of the 2000 American League playoffs, began on Tuesday, October 3, and ended on Sunday, October 8, with the champions of the three AL divisions—along with a "wild card" team—participating in two best-of-five series. The teams were:* Chicago...
vs Chicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, 3–0
Lost ALCSThe American League Championship Series was a matchup between the Eastern Division Champion New York Yankees and the Wild Card Seattle Mariners...
vs New York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division...
, 4–2. |
|
2001The Seattle Mariners' 2001 season was the 25th since franchise inception, and ended with the Mariners winning their third American League West division title, with a record of 116-46. The team set an American League record for single-season wins, and tied the Major League record set by the Chicago...
|
116–46 |
.716 |
1st in AL West |
Won ALDSThe American League Division Series , the opening round of the 2001 American League playoffs, began on Tuesday, October 9, and ended on Monday, October 15, with the champions of the three AL divisions—along with a "wild card" team—participating in two best-of-five series. The teams were:* Seattle...
vs Cleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field . The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, 3–2
Lost ALCSThe American League Championship Series was a rematch of the 2000 ALCS between the New York Yankees, who had come off a dramatic comeback against the Oakland Athletics in the Division Series after being down two games to zero, and the Seattle Mariners, who won an American League record 116...
vs New York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division...
, 4–1. |
Tied the regular-season record with 116 wins, but went 4-6 in the playoffs. |
| 2002 The Seattle Mariners 2002 season was their 26th since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing 3rd in the American League West, finishing with a record of 93-69.-Offseason:...
|
93–69 |
.574 |
3rd in AL West |
|
|
| 2003 The Seattle Mariners 2003 season was their 27th since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing 2nd in the American League West, finishing with a record of 93-69.-Offseason:...
|
93–69 |
.574 |
2nd in AL West |
|
|
| 2004 The Seattle Mariners 2004 season was their 28th since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing at the bottom of the American League West, finishing with a record of 63-99...
|
63–99 |
.389 |
4th in AL West |
|
Ichiro breaks 84-year-old hits record, with 262 hits |
| 2005 The Seattle Mariners 2005 season was their 29th since the franchise creation, and their second consecutive season finishing at the bottom of the American League West, finishing with a record of 69-93...
|
69–93 |
.426 |
4th in AL West |
|
|
| 2006 The Seattle Mariners 2006 season was their 30th since the franchise creation, and their third consecutive season finishing at the bottom of the American League West, finishing with a record of 78-84 ....
|
78–84 |
.481 |
4th in AL West |
|
|
| 2007 The Seattle Mariners' 2007 season was their 31st in franchise history, and has started with the Mariners trying to win their first AL West title since they tied the MLB record for wins in a season in the 2001...
|
88–74 |
.543 |
2nd in AL West |
|
Lead in the wild card race for the majority of the season |
| 2008 The Seattle Mariners season was the 32nd Major League Baseball season in the team's history. Coming off the heels of the previous 2007 season, in which the M's finished with their first winning record since 2003, the team was widely expected to once again compete for the American League West...
|
61-101 |
.377 |
4th in AL West |
|
Worst record in AL heading into All-Star Break, first team of 2008 to record a 100 loss season.
First team of 2008 to officially be eliminated from the 2008 playoffs. Worst record since 1983, which was the last time they had lost over 100 games in a season.
First team in MLB history to lose 100 games with a $100 million payroll. |
2009The 2009 Seattle Mariners season is the 33rd season in franchise history. They will be looking to improve from the disappointing 2008 season, where they finished last in the American League West with a 61-101 record.- Overview :...
|
85-77 |
.520 |
3rd in AL West |
|
Ichiro breaks the record for most consecutive 200-hit seasons at 9. One of the biggest improvments of any organization (a 24+ win increase from last year). |
|
| Totals |
2261–2418 |
.482 |
|
|
|
Baseball Hall of Famers
The following inducted members of the
Baseball Hall of FameThe National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
spent part of their careers with the Mariners. None is depicted on his plaque wearing a Mariners cap insignia.
Ford C. Frick Award recipients
Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame
Seattle Mariners former chairman and CEO
John Ellis-Politics:* Sir John Ellis, 1st Baronet , British Member of Parliament for Mid Surrey 1884–1885, Kingston 1885–1892* John Ellis , Irish Fianna Fáil politician...
announced on June 14, 1997 the creation of a Mariners Hall of Fame. It is operated by the Seattle Mariners organization. It honors the players, staff and other individuals that greatly contributed to the history and success of the Mariners franchise. It is located at the Baseball Museum of the Pacific Northwest in
Safeco FieldSafeco Field, sometimes referred to as Safeco, is a retractable roof baseball stadium located in Seattle, Washington, USA. It is the home stadium of the Seattle Mariners Major League Baseball club, seating 47,116 for baseball...
.
The team has a Mariners Hall of Fame, with the following members:
- Dave Niehaus
Dave Niehaus is an American sportscaster. He has been the lead play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball's Seattle Mariners since their inaugural season in 1977.-Early life and career:...
, Broadcaster (1977-present)
- 21 Alvin Davis
Alvin Glenn Davis is a former Major League Baseball first baseman/designated hitter who played primarily for the Seattle Mariners. He won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 1984....
, 1B (1984-91)
- 19 Jay Buhner
Jay Campbell Buhner , nicknamed "Bone", is a former powerful right-handed hitter in Major League Baseball...
, OF (1988–2001)
- 11 Edgar Martínez
Edgar Martínez is a former Major League Baseball player who retired at the end of the season. He spent his entire 18-year major league career with the Seattle Mariners...
, DH (1987–2004)
Retired numbers
Jackie
RobinsonJack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first African-American Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
Retired by
all of MLB
Retired 1997 |
The Seattle Mariners have not retired any uniform numbers. Official team policy states that number retirement is reserved for players in the National Baseball Hall of Fame who played for at least five years with the Mariners, or career Mariners players whose name appears at least once on the Hall of Fame ballot.
Despite not officially retiring any numbers, the team has not reissued the numbers 11 (Edgar Martínez), 14 (
Lou PiniellaLouis Victor Piniella is the current manager of the Chicago Cubs and a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He has been nicknamed "Sweet Lou," both for his swing as a major league hitter and, facetiously, to describe his demeanor as a player and manager...
), or 19 (
Jay BuhnerJay Campbell Buhner , nicknamed "Bone", is a former powerful right-handed hitter in Major League Baseball...
) to any uniformed staff since the last player to have worn the number left the team. Number 51, worn by Randy Johnson, was withheld from players from 1998 until 2001, when it was awarded to
Ichiro Suzuki, often known simply as , is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro has established a number of batting records, including the sport's single-season record for base hits with 262...
upon his request after wearing it for his entire career in Japan. 24 was not issued from the time
Ken Griffey, Jr.George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. is a Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter, for the Seattle Mariners....
left the team after the season until it was re-issued to him when he returned in .
Uniform numberAs in many sports, a baseball player's uniform number has the purpose of identifying the player. However, it has come over time to have a much more significant meaning to the player and fans. A number can be symbolic of a player's legacy, and has resulted in all kinds of superstition...
00 is presumed off-limits, as it has been worn by the Mariner Moose since 1997 (outfielder
Jeffrey LeonardJeffrey N. Leonard is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball with a 14-year career from to...
was the last player to don 00 for the M's, in 1990). From 1990–1996, the Moose wore the last 2 digits of the year of the current season.
Jackie RobinsonJack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first African-American Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
's number, 42, was retired throughout Major League Baseball on April 15, 1997.
Rally Fries
Rally Fries, like the
Rally MonkeyThe Rally Monkey is an important figure in the history of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Major League Baseball team.The character debuted on June 6, 2000, when the Angels were trailing the San Francisco Giants 5–4 in the bottom of the ninth inning...
, is a baseball
traditionThe word tradition comes from the Latin traditionem, acc. of traditio which means "handing over, passing on", and is used in a number of ways in the English language:...
started by Mariners broadcaster
Mike 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...
in 2007. During a game against the
Cincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. They are members of the Central Division of the National League....
, a fan tried to catch a foul ball along the right-field line but in turn spilled his tray of fries along the track. While chatting on the air and seeing the mishap, Blowers's partner,
Dave SimsDave Sims is an American sportscaster. He currently is the television play-by-play commentator for the Seattle Mariners, the radio play-by-play man for Sunday Night Football on Westwood One, and the television play-by-play host for the UFL on Versus.-Biography:Dave Sims grew up in Philadelphia and...
, suggested that he should send a new tray of fries to the fan. Blowers agreed, and sent his intern to deliver a plate of fries to the man.
However, on the next game, fans made signs and boards, asking Blowers for free fries as well. Coincidently, every time the fries were delivered, the Mariners seem to score or
rallyRally refers to a gathering, as in:* a political rally, a demonstration, march, or parade* a pep rallyRally as a sports term can also refer to:* Rallying , a category of motorsport...
from a deficit, and thus the "Rally Fries" were created. This became so popular with the fans that signs were even seen when the Mariners were on the road, though on August 1, 2009 Blowers mentioned he doesn't award winners on the road.
Generally, Blowers will select a person or a group of people that appeals to him, whether it is through fans wearing elaborate costumes or waving funny signs and boards. The fries are usually delivered from
Ivar'sIvar's is a seafood restaurant chain based in Seattle, Washington, United States, with operations in the Puget Sound region; in Spokane, Washington; and in Santa Clara, California....
, a common sight in
Safeco FieldSafeco Field, sometimes referred to as Safeco, is a retractable roof baseball stadium located in Seattle, Washington, USA. It is the home stadium of the Seattle Mariners Major League Baseball club, seating 47,116 for baseball...
.
Ivar'sIvar's is a seafood restaurant chain based in Seattle, Washington, United States, with operations in the Puget Sound region; in Spokane, Washington; and in Santa Clara, California....
is a Seattle-based seafood restaurant. Only one plate of fries are awarded per person in the group. The winners are generally selected around the 5th or 6th inning, although potential candidates are shown in almost every inning beforehand.
Minor league affiliations
- AAA: Tacoma Rainiers
The Tacoma Rainiers are a minor league baseball team that plays in the Pacific Coast League , and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners...
, Pacific Coast LeagueThe Pacific Coast League is a minor league baseball league operating in the West, Midwest, and Southeast of the United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League...
- AA: West Tenn Diamond Jaxx
The West Tenn Diamond Jaxx are a minor league baseball team of the Southern League and the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The team is located in Jackson, Tennessee, and plays their home games at Pringles Park; opened in 1998, the park currently hold 6,000 fans.-Chicago Cubs :The...
, Southern LeagueThe Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , but it had to shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
- Advanced A: High Desert Mavericks
The High Desert Mavericks are a minor league baseball team in Adelanto, California, USA. Their Major League parent club is the Seattle Mariners. They are a "high-A" class team in the California League, and had been a farm team of the Kansas City Royals since 2005 before the switch. The Mavericks...
, California LeagueThe California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
- A: Clinton Lumberkings
The Clinton LumberKings are a Midwest League Class A minor league baseball team based in Clinton, Iowa, USA, affiliated with the Seattle Mariners.Clinton joined the Midwest League in 1954 and is the oldest franchise in the league...
, Midwest LeagueThe Midwest League is a Class A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort Cardinals – began operating...
- Short A: Everett AquaSox
The Everett AquaSox are a minor league baseball team in Everett, Washington, USA. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League...
, Northwest LeagueThe Northwest League of Professional Baseball is a Short-Season A classification minor league. The league is the descendant of the Western International League which ran as a class B league from 1937-1951 and class A from 1952-1954...
- Rookie: Pulaski Mariners
The Pulaski Mariners are a minor league baseball team based in Pulaski, Virginia, United States. They are an Advanced Rookie League team in the Appalachian League, and a farm team of the Seattle Mariners. The team plays its home games at Calfee Park. They have previously been affiliated with...
, Appalachian LeagueThe Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
- Rookie: AZL Mariners
The Arizona League Mariners are a minor league baseball team in Peoria, Arizona, USA. They are a Class R team in the Arizona League and are a farm team of the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners play home games at Peoria Sports Complex.- Year-by-Year Record :...
, Arizona LeagueThe Arizona League is a minor league baseball league that operates in and around Phoenix, Arizona. It is a rookie-level professional baseball league run by Major League Baseball since 1989. Games are played at the spring training complexes of the team's parent organizations from mid-June until the...
- Rookie: VSL Mariners, Venezuelan Summer League
The Venezuelan Summer League is a minor league baseball rookie league which operates in Carabobo and Aragua states, Venezuela.The league is closed to all draft eligible players with the exception of two players from Puerto Rico...
Radio and television
The Mariners' flagship radio station is
KIRO-AM 710KIRO is a radio station based in Seattle, Washington on the shores of Lake Union with 2 towers on Vashon Island, broadcasting on 710 kHz in the AM radio spectrum. Its format is primarily sports radio...
(ESPN Radio), which previously broadcast Mariners contests from 1985-2002. Former flagship stations include
KOMOKOMO is a radio station based in Seattle, Washington. Its format is primarily news. From 2002 to 2008, it was also the flagship station of the Seattle Mariners Radio Network...
1000 AM (2003-2008), and
KVIKVI is a commercial radio station located in Seattle, Washington, broadcasting to the Seattle, Washington area on 570 AM. KVI airs News/talk programming.-History:...
570 AM (1977-1984). Television rights are held by
FSN NorthwestFSN Northwest is a United States regional sports network available in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska.FSN Northwest has coverage of the Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Sounders FC, Seattle Storm, Utah Jazz , and local coverage of the Pac-10, Western Athletic, Big Sky,...
. In years past, Mariners games have also appeared in Seattle on over-the-air stations
KING-TVKING-TV, channel 48, is a television station in Seattle, Washington, USA. It is affiliated with the NBC network, and broadcasts on digital UHF channel 48. Its offices and broadcasting center are located just east of Seattle Center. The station's transmitter is located in the Queen Anne neighborhood...
,
KIRO-TVKIRO-TV is the CBS television affiliate in Seattle, Washington. It broadcasts on digital channel 39. The station's offices and broadcasting center are located near Seattle Center in the Denny Regrade neighborhood, and its transmitter is located on Queen Anne Hill, Seattle, Washington...
, KTZZ-TV, and KSTW-TV. Select Mariners games are also available on Canadian television, due to an agreement between FSN Northwest and
Rogers SportsnetRogers Sportsnet is a Canadian English-language cable television sports specialty channel, operating four regional standard-definition feeds, each with a corresponding high-definition simulcast feed...
.
The Mariners broadcast team currently features
Dave NiehausDave Niehaus is an American sportscaster. He has been the lead play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball's Seattle Mariners since their inaugural season in 1977.-Early life and career:...
and
Rick RizzsRick Rizzs is an American sportscaster for Major League Baseball's Seattle Mariners. Except for a stint with the Detroit Tigers, Rizzs has been with the Mariners since 1983. He uses the catch phrase "Good-bye, baseball!" as his signature home run call....
- back for their 32nd and 23rd seasons with the club, respectively- as well as veteran broadcaster
Dave SimsDave Sims is an American sportscaster. He currently is the television play-by-play commentator for the Seattle Mariners, the radio play-by-play man for Sunday Night Football on Westwood One, and the television play-by-play host for the UFL on Versus.-Biography:Dave Sims grew up in Philadelphia and...
and former infielder
Mike 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...
. For the first three innings of each game, Niehaus works the television broadcast with Blowers, and Rizzs and Sims handle radio duties; after the third inning, Niehaus and Sims trade places. Seattle radio personality
Matt PitmanMatt Pitman is an American public address announcer for the team formerly known as the Seattle SuperSonics of the National Basketball Association.Pitman is also a broadcaster with KOMO 1000 Newsradio in Seattle, Washington...
hosts the post-game show on the Mariners' radio network, along with clubhouse reporter Shannon Drayer. Spanish-language radio broadcast duties are handled by Alex Rivera on play-by-play and former second baseman Julio Cruz providing color commentary.
Tom HutylerTom Hutyler is a Seattle, Washington radio personality and, since 1987, the public address announcer for the Seattle Mariners. Hutyler is also currently a sports reporter for KOMO. Hutyler began his radio career in 1978 in Spokane, Washington, where he was born...
has been the Mariners' public address announcer since 1987, first at the Kingdome, and presently at Safeco Field. During the period that KOMO 1000 AM was the Mariners' flagship radio station, Hutyler occasionally hosted the postgame radio show.
Season records
- Highest Batting Average: .372, Ichiro Suzuki
, often known simply as , is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro has established a number of batting records, including the sport's single-season record for base hits with 262...
(2004)
- Most Runs: 141, Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez is a Dominican and American professional baseball player. Nicknamed "Alex" or "A-Rod," he currently plays third base for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. He previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered...
(1996)
- Most Hits: 262, Ichiro Suzuki
, often known simply as , is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro has established a number of batting records, including the sport's single-season record for base hits with 262...
(2004)
- Highest Slugging %: .674, Ken Griffey Jr. (1994)
- Most Doubles: 54, Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez is a Dominican and American professional baseball player. Nicknamed "Alex" or "A-Rod," he currently plays third base for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. He previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered...
(1996)
- Most Triples: 12, Ichiro Suzuki
, often known simply as , is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro has established a number of batting records, including the sport's single-season record for base hits with 262...
(2005)
- Most Home Runs: 56, Ken Griffey Jr. (1997,98)
- Most Grand Slams: 4, Edgar Martínez
Edgar Martínez is a former Major League Baseball player who retired at the end of the season. He spent his entire 18-year major league career with the Seattle Mariners...
(2000)
- Most RBIs: 147, Ken Griffey Jr. (1997,98)
- Most Stolen Bases: 60, Harold Reynolds
Harold Craig Reynolds is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball. Reynolds spent the first 10 years of his professional career in the majors with the Seattle Mariners from to...
(1987)
- Most Wins: 21, Jamie Moyer
Jamie Moyer is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is currently the oldest active player in the major leagues, and has been likened to Phil Niekro....
(2003)
- Lowest ERA: 2.28, Randy Johnson
Randall David Johnson , nicknamed "The Big Unit", is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Over a 21-year career, Johnson has played for 6 different teams, and currently pitches for the San Francisco Giants....
(1997)
- Strikeouts: 308, Randy Johnson
Randall David Johnson , nicknamed "The Big Unit", is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Over a 21-year career, Johnson has played for 6 different teams, and currently pitches for the San Francisco Giants....
(1993)
- Complete Games: 14, Mike Moore
Michael Kenneth Moore ONZ is a politician from New Zealand who has served both as Prime Minister of New Zealand and Director-General of the World Trade Organization.-Early life:...
(1985) and Mark LangstonMark Edward Langston is an American left-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners , Montreal Expos , California and Anaheim Angels , San Diego Padres , and Cleveland Indians .-Baseball career:In 1989, Langston was in a trade which sent him to Montreal and Randy Johnson...
(1987)
- Saves: 45, Kazuhiro Sasaki
Kazuhiro "Daimajin" Sasaki is a retired relief pitcher. In his prime, he was one of the premier relievers of both Japanese and American professional baseball...
(2001)
See also
External links