The History of the Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington, and an American League West division member. The team was founded in 1977 as an expansion team, and since then, they have had their fair share of ups and downs. Let's take a closer look at the history of the Seattle Mariners. 

During their early years, the Mariners had several notable players, including first baseman Alvin Davis, who won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 1984. Davis played for the Mariners from 1984 to 1991 and was an All-Star in 1984 and 1989. Harold Reynolds, a second baseman who played for the team from 1983 to 1992, was also a standout player. Reynolds won three Gold Glove Awards and was an All-Star in 1987 and 1988.

Despite having some talented players, the Mariners struggled to win games during their first few years. They finished last in the American League West division in their first four seasons. However, in 1982, the team had a breakthrough year, finishing with a record of 76-86, their first winning season in franchise history.

During the 1982 season, the Mariners had several standout players, including pitcher Floyd Bannister, who won 12 games that season, and third baseman Todd Cruz, who hit 20 home runs and had 78 RBIs. In addition, outfielder Dave Henderson had a breakout year, hitting 25 home runs and driving in 64 runs.

Although the team did not make the playoffs in 1982, their success that year set the stage for future success. The group continued to improve in the coming years, culminating in their first playoff appearance in 1995.

In conclusion, the early years of the Seattle Mariners were filled with struggles and challenges, but they also had some notable players and moments. The team's first winning season in 1982 was a sign of things to come, and the Mariners would have some exciting years ahead.

After struggling during their early years, the Seattle Mariners underwent a significant turnaround in the 1980s and 1990s. This period saw the arrival of several key players and the hiring a new manager who would help guide the team to its first playoff appearance in franchise history.

In 1983, the Mariners hired Chuck Cottier as their new manager. Cottier had previously been a coach for the Milwaukee Brewers and had experience as a player in both the major and minor leagues. Cottier brought a new team management approach, emphasizing fundamentals and team unity.

Under Cottier's leadership, the Mariners began to see success on the field. In 1984, the team finished with a record of 74-88, a significant improvement over their history from the previous year. The team's success continued to build over the next few years, finishing with winning records in 1986 and 1988.

One of the key players during this period was first baseman Alvin Davis, who won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 1984. Davis played for the Mariners from 1984 to 1991 and was an All-Star in 1984 and 1989. In addition to Davis, the Mariners had several other talented players, including second baseman Harold Reynolds, outfielder Phil Bradley, and pitcher Mark Langston.

In 1991, the Mariners hired Lou Piniella as their new manager. Piniella had previously managed the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds and brought a wealth of experience and success to the Mariners. Under Piniella's leadership, the team continued to improve, and in 1995, they made history by making their first playoff appearance.

The 1995 season was magical for the Mariners, as they won the American League West division with a record of 79-66. The team was led by several standout players, including outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., who hit 17 home runs and had 42 RBIs despite missing over a month of the season due to injury. In addition, designated hitter Edgar Martinez had a phenomenal year, hitting .356 with 29 home runs and 113 RBIs.

The Mariners faced the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series and won dramatically. In Game 5, Martinez hit a two-run double in the bottom of the 11th inning to win the game and send the Mariners to the American League Championship Series. Although the Mariners lost to the Cleveland Indians in the Championship Series, the 1995 season was a turning point for the franchise.

In conclusion, the turnaround of the Seattle Mariners from 1983 to 1995 was a period of growth and success for the team. With the hiring of Chuck Cottier and Lou Piniella, the group began to develop a winning culture and saw the emergence of several key players. The 1995 season was particularly memorable, as the team made their first playoff appearance and captured the hearts of baseball fans worldwide.

The Ichiro Era of the Seattle Mariners began in 2001 when the team signed Japanese outfielder Ichiro Suzuki. Ichiro was already a superstar in Japan, having won multiple batting titles and MVP awards. His arrival in Seattle marked the beginning of a new era for the Mariners, which would see the team achieve unprecedented success.

In his first season with the Mariners, Ichiro immediately made an impact. He won the American League Rookie of the Year and MVP awards, becoming the first player in history to win both prizes in the same season. Ichiro led the league in hits with 242, setting a new record for most hits in a single season. He also had a batting average of .350 and stole 56 bases.

Ichiro's success continued in subsequent years, as he became one of the most dominant players in baseball. He won two batting titles and ten Gold Glove awards and was named to the All-Star team ten times. In 2004, he set a new record for most hits in a season by a Japanese player, breaking his record from 2001.

The 2001 season was a particularly memorable one for the Mariners. Led by Ichiro and other key players like Bret Boone, John Olerud, and Edgar Martinez, the team won a record-breaking 116 games, tying the record set by the 1906 Chicago Cubs for most wins in a single season. Although the team ultimately fell short in the playoffs, losing to the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series, their regular season success was historic.

In addition to Ichiro's success, the Mariners had other talented players during this era. Pitcher Felix Hernandez debuted in 2005 and quickly became one of the best pitchers in baseball. Hernandez won the American League Cy Young Award in 2010 and was named to the All-Star team six times.

Despite their success during the Ichiro era, the Mariners only made the playoffs twice, in 2001 and 2003. They could not advance past the American League Championship Series either time, but the team's success during this era was still significant. Ichiro, in particular, became a beloved figure in Seattle, and his impact on the team and the city cannot be overstated.

In conclusion, the Ichiro Era of the Seattle Mariners was a period of unprecedented success for the team. With the arrival of Ichiro in 2001, the group began to develop a winning culture and saw the emergence of several key players. Although they could not win a championship, the team's regular season success and the individual achievements of players like Ichiro and Felix Hernandez made this era one to remember.

The Post-Ichiro Years of the Seattle Mariners have been a transition period for the team. After Ichiro Suzuki was traded to the New York Yankees in 2012, the team has struggled to find its footing. However, the team has made several moves to turn things around and return to the playoffs.

In 2013, the Mariners hired Eric Wedge as their new manager. Wedge had previously managed the Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals and was seen as a potential solution to the team's struggles. However, Wedge's tenure with the team was short-lived, as he resigned after the 2013 season due to differences with the team's front office.

After Wedge's departure, the Mariners hired Lloyd McClendon as their new manager. McClendon had previously managed the Pittsburgh Pirates and was seen as a manager who could help the team develop a winning culture. Under McClendon's leadership, the group progressed, finishing 87-75 in 2014, their best record since 2007.

In 2015, the team signed second baseman Robinson Cano to a 10-year, $240 million contract, the largest contract in Mariners history. Cano was seen as a potential game-changer for the team, as he was a five-time All-Star and had won two Gold Glove awards.

In addition to Cano, the team made several other moves to improve their roster. In 2014, the group signed outfielder Nelson Cruz to a four-year, $57 million contract. Cruz had previously played for the Texas Rangers and the Baltimore Orioles and was known for his power-hitting ability. In 2016, the team traded for pitcher Wade Miley, who had previously played for the Boston Red Sox.

Despite these moves, the team has not returned to the playoffs since 2001. However, there have been some bright spots during this era. In 2018, pitcher James Paxton threw a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays, becoming only the second Canadian-born player to throw a no-hitter in Major League Baseball history.

In addition, the team has had some standout players, including designated hitter Nelson Cruz, who was an All-Star in 2015, 2017, and 2018, and outfielder Mitch Haniger, who was an All-Star in 2018. Pitcher Felix Hernandez, a key player during the Ichiro era, has also continued to play for the team during this era. However, he has struggled with injuries and has yet to be as dominant as in previous years.

In conclusion, the Post-Ichiro Years of the Seattle Mariners have been a transition period for the team. After the departure of Ichiro, the team has struggled to find its footing, but they have made several moves to try to turn things around. Although they have yet to return to the playoffs, there have been some bright spots during this era, and the team continues to strive for success.

Throughout their history, the Seattle Mariners have had several notable players and moments that have impacted the team and the city of Seattle. From Ichiro Suzuki's historic debut in 2001 to Ken Griffey Jr.'s return to the team in 2009, here are some of Mariner's most memorable players and moments.

• Ichiro Suzuki: One of the most successful players in Mariner's history, Ichiro won two batting titles and ten Gold Glove awards and was named to the All-Star team ten times during his tenure with the team. He also set a new record for most hits in a single season with 262 in 2004.

• Ken Griffey Jr.: Griffey was one of the most beloved players in Mariner's history, spending 11 seasons with the team over two stints. He was an All-Star 10 times with the team and won the American League MVP award in 1997.

• Edgar Martinez: A designated hitter for the Mariners from 1987 to 2004, Martinez was a seven-time All-Star and two-time batting champion. He is also known for his clutch hitting, mainly his double in the 1995 playoffs that helped the team win their first playoff series.

• Felix Hernandez: Nicknamed "King Felix," Hernandez was one of the best pitchers in baseball during his time with the Mariners. He won the American League Cy Young award in 2010 and was named to the All-Star team six times.

• Randy Johnson: Johnson played for the Mariners from 1989 to 1998 and was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball during that time. He won the American League Cy Young award in 1995 and was an All-Star five times with the team.

• Ichiro's Debut: In 2001, Ichiro Suzuki made his MLB debut with the Mariners and immediately made an impact. He won the American League Rookie of the Year award and the MVP award that season, setting a new record for most hits in a single season with 242.

• 116 Wins: In 2001, the Mariners won a record-breaking 116 games, tying the record set by the 1906 Chicago Cubs for most wins in a single season. Although the team ultimately fell short in the playoffs, their regular season success was historic.

• "The Double": In Game 5 of the 1995 American League Division Series, the Mariners were tied with the New York Yankees in the bottom of the 11th inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, designated hitter Edgar Martinez hit a double down the left-field line, scoring two runs and winning the game for the Mariners. The moment is now known as "The Double" and is one of the most iconic moments in Mariner's history.

• Griffey's Return: In 2009, Ken Griffey Jr. returned to the Mariners for the final two seasons of his career. Although he was no longer the dominant player he had been in his prime, Griffey's return was a sentimental moment for Mariners fans who had grown up watching him play.

• Felix Hernandez's Perfect Game: In 2012, Felix Hernandez threw the first perfect game in Mariners history, striking out 12 batters in a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The game was a historic moment for both Hernandez and the Mariners franchise.

In conclusion, the Seattle Mariners have had several notable players and moments throughout history. From the dominant pitching of Randy Johnson to the clutch hitting of Edgar Martinez, these players and moments have helped to define the team and make it a beloved part of the city of Seattle.

The Seattle Mariners have a rich and storied history in Major League Baseball. From their early years of struggle to their historic turnaround in the 1990s and the success of the Ichiro era, the Mariners have had several periods of growth and success. Although the team has struggled in recent years, there is still optimism for the future and the potential to return to its winning ways.

Throughout their history, the Mariners have had several notable players who have significantly impacted the team and the city of Seattle. From Ichiro Suzuki's historic debut in 2001 to Ken Griffey Jr.'s return to the team in 2009, these players have helped to define the team and make it a beloved part of the city.

In addition to individual players, the Mariners have had several memorable historical moments. From "The Double" in 1995 to Felix Hernandez's perfect game in 2012, these moments have helped to create a sense of community and excitement around the team.

Despite their struggles in recent years, there is still reason for optimism for the Mariners. The team has made several moves to turn things around and return to the playoffs, including signing Robinson Cano to a record-breaking contract in 2015 and trading for pitcher James Paxton in 2019. With a young and talented roster, the Mariners have the potential to return to their winning ways and create new memories for their fans.

In conclusion, the Seattle Mariners have a rich and storied history in Major League Baseball. From their early struggles to the Ichiro era's success, the team has had several periods of growth and success. Although the team has faced challenges in recent years, there is still optimism for the future and the potential for the team to return to its winning ways. With a loyal fan base and a talented roster, the Mariners continue to be a beloved part of the city of Seattle and the world of baseball.