Jump to content

Seattle Mariners

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Bobblehead (talk | contribs) at 19:05, 2 February 2012 (→Franchise records and award winners). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Seattle Mariners
2024 Seattle Mariners season
File:Seattle Mariners logo.svg
LogoCap insignia
Major league affiliations
Current uniform
Colors
       
Name
  • Seattle Mariners (1977–present)
Other nicknames
  • The M's
Ballpark
Major league titles
World Series titles (0)None
AL Pennants (0)None
West Division titles (3)2001 • 1997 • 1995
Wild card berths (1)2000
Front office
Principal owner(s)Nintendo of America, represented by Howard Lincoln
General managerJack Zduriencik
ManagerEric Wedge

The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in 1977, the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July 1999. From their 1977 inception until June 1999, the club's home park was the Kingdome.

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 1987–1992. The current team colors are Navy Blue, Northwest Green (also known as dark cyan), and Metallic Silver, after having been Royal Blue and Gold from 1977–1992. Their mascot is the Mariner Moose.

The organization did not field a winning team until 1991, and any real success eluded them until 1995 when they won their first division championship and defeated the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series. The game-winning hit in Game 5, in which Edgar Martinez drove home Ken Griffey, Jr. to win the game in the 11th inning, clinched a series win for the Mariners, and has since become an iconic moment in team history.

The Mariners won 116 games in 2001, which set the American League record for most wins in a single season and tied the 1906 Chicago Cubs for the Major League record for most wins in a single season.

Despite several successful seasons, especially between 1995 and 2001, they are one of only two MLB franchises (and the only American League team) never to have gained a berth in a World Series; the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals of the National League are the other team.

Owned by Nintendo of America, the Mariners are one of three Major League Baseball teams under corporate ownership; the other two are the Atlanta Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays.

History

Main article: History of the Seattle Mariners

The Mariners were created as a result of a lawsuit. In 1970, in the aftermath of the Seattle Pilots' purchase and relocation to Milwaukee (as the Milwaukee Brewers) by future Commissioner of Baseball Bud Selig, the City of Seattle, King County, and the state of Washington (represented by then-State Attorney General and later U.S. Senator Slade Gorton) sued the American League for breach of contract.[1] 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 Seahawks in 1976.

The Mariners played their first game on April 6, 1977, to a sold-out crowd of 57,762 at the Kingdome, losing 7–0 to the California Angels.[2] The first home run in team history was hit on April 10, 1977, by designated hitter Juan Bernhardt.[3] That year, star pitcher Diego Segui, 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 Game. After the 1981 season, the Mariners were sold to California businessman and future U.S. Ambassador to Spain George Argyros.

In 1993, the Mariners donned their current uniforms. During the 1992–93 offseason, the Mariners hired manager Lou Piniella, who had led the Cincinnati Reds to victory in the 1990 World Series. Mariner fans embraced Piniella,[4] and he would helm the team from 1993 through 2002, winning two American League Manager of the Year Awards along the way.

The 2001 Mariners led the major leagues in winning percentage all season long, easily winning the American League West division championship, breaking the 1998 Yankees 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 Cubs in 1906. At the end of the season, Ichiro won the AL MVP, AL Rookie of the Year, and one of three outfield Gold Glove Awards, becoming the first player since the 1975 Boston Red Sox's Fred Lynn to win all three in the same season.

On October 22, 2008 the Mariners announced the hiring of Jack Zduriencik, formerly scouting director of the Milwaukee Brewers, as their general manager.[5] Weeks later, on November 18, the team named Oakland Athletics bench coach Don Wakamatsu as its new field manager. Wakamatsu and Zduriencik hired an entirely new coaching staff for 2009, which included former World Series MVP John Wetteland 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. Putz to the New York Mets and brought 5 players—including prospect Mike Carp and outfielder Endy Chávez from New York and outfielder Franklin Gutierrez from the Cleveland Indians—to Seattle. Many of the moves, like the free agent signing of Mike Sweeney, were made in part with the hope of squelching the clubhouse infighting that plagued the Mariners in 2008.[6] It also saw the return of Seattle favorite Ken Griffey Jr. The 2009–10 offseason was highlighted by the trade for 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee from the Philadelphia Phillies, the signing of third baseman Chone Figgins and the contract extension of star pitcher "King" Félix Hernández.

On June 2, 2010 Ken Griffey Jr. announced his retirement after 22 MLB seasons.[7]

On August 9, 2010 the Mariners fired field manager Don Wakamatsu along with bench coach Ty Van Burkleo, pitching coach Rick Adair and performance coach Steve Hecht. Daren Brown, the manager of the AAA affiliate Tacoma Rainiers, took over as interim field manager. Roger Hansen, the former Minor League catching coordinator, was promoted to bench coach. Carl Willis, the former Minor League pitching coordinator, was promoted to pitching coach.[8]

The Mariners hired former Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge as their new manager on October 19, 2010.[9]

On November 10, 2010, Dave Niehaus, the Mariners' play-by-play announcer since the team's founding, died of a heart attack at the age of 75.

On July 27, 2011, the Mariners ended a team high 17-game losing streak with a win against the New York Yankees.

Spring training

The team mainly plays spring training games in Peoria, Arizona. They share the complex and stadium with the San Diego Padres.

Season records

This is a partial list listing the past twelve completed regular seasons. For the full season records, see here.

Totals
Year Record Win % Place Playoffs Notes
1998 76–85 .472 Third in AL West
1999 79–83 .488 Third in AL West
2000 91–71 .562 Second in AL West Won ALDS vs Chicago White Sox, 3–0
Lost ALCS vs New York Yankees, 4–2.
2001 116–46 .716 First in AL West Won ALDS vs Cleveland Indians, 3–2
Lost ALCS vs New York Yankees, 4–1. 		Tied the regular-season record with 116 wins, but went 4–6 in the playoffs.
2002 93–69 .574 Third in AL West Team celebrates 25th anniversary of the franchise
2003 93–69 .574 Second in AL West
2004 63–99 .389 Fourth in AL West Ichiro breaks 84-year-old hit record, with 262 hits.
2005 69–93 .426 Fourth in AL West
2006 78–84 .481 Fourth in AL West
2007 88–74 .543 Second in AL West Team Celebrates 30th anniversary of the franchise
2008 61–101 .377 Fourth 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.

Dave Niehaus wins the Ford C. Frick Award and enters the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

2009 85–77 .520 Third in AL West Ichiro breaks the record for most consecutive 200-hit seasons at 9.
2010 61–101 .377 Fourth in AL West Félix Hernández wins 2010 AL Cy Young Award.

Ichiro and Franklin Gutiérrez win the 2010 Rawlings Gold Glove awards for AL Right Field and Center Field, respectively.

Former Executive Pat Gillick was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

Ichiro has his tenth consecutive season batting over .300 with 200 hits, winning a Rawlings Gold Glove Award, and appearing in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

2011 67–95 .414 Fourth in AL West Pitchers Felix Hernandez, Brandon League, and Michael Pineda are named all-stars, but only League and Pineda appear in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Baseball Hall of Famers

The following elected members of the Baseball Hall of Fame spent part of their careers with the Mariners. None is depicted on his plaque wearing a Mariners cap insignia.[10]

Seattle Mariners Hall of Famers
Affiliation according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Seattle Mariners

Gaylord Perry

Pat Gillick†

Goose Gossage

Rickey Henderson

Dick Williams

  • Players and managers listed in bold are depicted on their Hall of Fame plaques wearing a Mariners cap insignia.
  • † – Pat Gillick was elected as an Executive/Pioneer due in part to his contributions to baseball as general manager of the Mariners.[11]

Ford C. Frick Award recipients

Seattle Mariners Ford C. Frick Award recipients
Affiliation according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Dave Niehaus

  • Names in bold received the award based primarily on their work as broadcasters for the Mariners.

Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame

Main article: Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame

Seattle Mariners former chairman and CEO John Ellis 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 Field.

The current members of the Mariners Hall of Fame are:

Retired numbers


Jackie
Robinson
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.[13]

Despite not officially retiring any numbers, the team has not reissued the numbers 11 (Edgar Martínez), 14 (Lou Piniella), 19 (Jay Buhner) or 24 (Ken Griffey, Jr.) to any uniformed staff since the last player to have worn the number left the team.

Uniform number 00 is presumed off-limits, as it has been worn by the Mariner Moose since 1997 (outfielder Jeffrey Leonard was the last player to don 00 for the M's, in 1990). From 1990 to 1996, the Moose wore the last 2 digits of the year of the current season.[14]

Jackie Robinson's number, 42, was retired throughout Major League Baseball on April 15, 1997.

Number 51, worn by Randy Johnson, was withheld from players from 1998 until 2001, when it was awarded to Ichiro Suzuki upon his request after wearing it for his entire career in Japan.

24 was not issued from the time Ken Griffey, Jr. left the team after the 1999 season until it was re-issued to him when he returned in 2009 and has not been reissued since his retirement in 2010.

Culture

Rally Fries

Main article: Rally fries

Rally Fries are a baseball tradition started by Mariners broadcaster Mike Blowers in 2007. During a game against the Cincinnati Reds, 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' partner, Dave Sims, 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.[15]

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 rally 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.[16]

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's, a Seattle-based seafood restaurant with a location at Safeco Field. The amount of fries given out varies with the size of the winning group of fans. The winners are generally selected around the 5th or 6th inning, although potential candidates are shown in almost every inning beforehand.

King's Court

As the 2011 season progressed, the Mariners marketing staff came up with an idea to encourage the growing fanbase of Cy Young-winning pitcher "King" Félix Hernández. Every Hernandez start at Safeco Field is now accompanied by a King's Court section -- a place for his fans to sing, dance and cheer while donning custom-made shirts.

The King's Court is both a personal rooting section for Hernandez and trend-setter for Safeco Field. The team encouraged fans to dress like Larry Bernandez, Hernandez's alter ego from a Mariners TV Commercial, or show up in wacky costumes, rewarding the best with a ceremonial turkey leg. It's both an odd and hilarious gimmick, adding to the sheer spectacle of the King's Court. [17]

Current roster

Seattle Mariners 2025 spring training roster
40-man roster Non-roster invitees Coaches/Other

Pitchers


Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Designated hitters






Manager

Coaches



40 active, 0 inactive, 0 non-roster invitees

7-, 10-, or 15-day injured list
 * Not on active roster
 † Suspended list
 Roster, coaches, and NRIs updated November 4, 2024
 Transactions • Depth chart
 → All MLB rosters

Minor league affiliations

Level Team League Location
AAA Tacoma Rainiers Pacific Coast League Tacoma, WA
AA Jackson Generals Southern League Jackson, TN
Advanced A High Desert Mavericks California League Adelanto, CA
A Clinton LumberKings Midwest League Clinton, IA
Short Season A Everett AquaSox Northwest League Everett, WA
Rookie Pulaski Mariners Appalachian League Pulaski, VA
AZL Mariners Arizona League Peoria, AZ
VSL Mariners Venezuelan Summer League Venezuela
DSL Mariners Dominican Summer League Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic

Radio and television

See also: Seattle Mariners Radio Network and List of Seattle Mariners broadcasters

The Mariners' flagship radio station is KIRO-AM 710 (ESPN Radio), which previously broadcast Mariners contests from 1985–2002. Former flagship stations include KOMO 1000 AM (2003–2008), and KVI 570 AM (1977–1984). Television rights are held by Root Sports Northwest. In years past, Mariners games have also appeared in Seattle on over-the-air stations KING-TV, KIRO-TV, KTZZ-TV, and KSTW-TV. Select Mariners games are also available on Canadian television, due to an agreement between Root Sports Northwest and Rogers Sportsnet.

The Mariners broadcast team for 2010 featured Dave Niehaus and Rick Rizzs—back for their 32nd and 23rd seasons with the club, respectively—as well as veteran broadcaster Dave Sims and former infielder Mike Blowers. For the first three innings of each game, Niehaus worked the television broadcast with Blowers, and Rizzs and Sims handled radio duties; after the third inning, Niehaus and Sims traded places. Niehaus, who had broadcast for the Mariners since their inaugural season of 1977, died on November 10, 2010. For the 2011 season, Dave Niehaus' duties in the broadcast booth are being filled by a collection of temporary stand-ins such as Ron Fairley, Ken Levine and former Mariners' players such as Dave Valle, Dan Wilson Jay Buhner and Dave Henderson. Seattle radio personality Matt Pitman 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 Hutyler has been the Mariners' public address announcer since 1987, first at the Kingdome, and presently at Safeco Field.[18] During the period that KOMO 1000 AM was the Mariners' flagship radio station, Hutyler occasionally hosted the post-game radio show.

Franchise records and award winners

Main articles: Seattle Mariners team records and Seattle Mariners award winners and league leaders

Season records

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ Cour, Jim (1999-06-27). "Good riddance". The Austin American-Statesman.
  2. ^ RetroSheet.org box score: Game Played on Wednesday, April 6, 1977 (N) at Kingdome
  3. ^ Griffeys made home run history in '90 | Mariners.com: News
  4. ^ Raley, Dan (2003-07-12). "Piniella returns to Seattle's warm embrace". The Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2007-09-28.
  5. ^ Stone, Larry (October 22, 2008). "M's hire Brewers' Jack Zduriencik as GM". The Seattle Times.
  6. ^ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/wires/02/16/2010.ap.bba.mariners.jealousies.0995/. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) [dead link]
  7. ^ http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100602&content_id=10725878&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
  8. ^ http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100809&content_id=13232624&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea
  9. ^ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/10/18/mariners-announce-hiring-of-eric-wedge-move-praised-by-wood-le/
  10. ^ National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum: Home
  11. ^ Carr, Samantha (6 December 2010). "Emotional Election". National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
  12. ^ http://blog.seattlepi.com/baseball/2012/01/17/randy-johnson-dan-wilson-headed-to-mariners-hall-of-fame/#2538-1
  13. ^ mariners.mlb.com Mailbag, 03/20/2006
  14. ^ http://www.grissomlover.com:80/me/macerana.jpg
  15. ^ http://homerderby.com/archives/1130
  16. ^ Moore, Jim (August 13, 2007). "Go 2 Guy: Fry, fry away -- rally fries take off". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
  17. ^ http://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-mariners/2011/6/29/2246979/felix-hernandez-kings-court-mariners-marlins-calvinball
  18. ^ Tom Hutyler at KOMO News
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Seattle Mariners.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Seattle_Mariners&oldid=474623806"