The lifelong journalist for the Seattle Mariners declared that they had signed the best player ever.
The lifelong journalist for the Seattle Mariners declared that they had signed the best player ever.
For a franchise that has only existed for 31 years, the Seattle Mariners have featured more than their fair share of all-time baseball greats. Three players on my all-time Mariner roster are lockdown future Hall of Famers, and there are two others who have a strong chance of earning Cooperstown inductee status.
It’s not too horrible to have a legend every six years or so—it helps make up for the team’s lack of World Series success.
In addition, the Mariners have had a good share of underachievers—players that consistently shattered fans’ hearts and were on the team only to irritate the Seattle supporters. I’ll also include a few of (very personal) dishonorable mentions.
Dan the Man was the Mariners‘ catcher with the most games played (1,237) and even had an occasional offensive triumph. In 1996, Wilson was selected to the All-Star squad and ended the season with a career-high 83 RBI and 18 home runs. He is ranked fourth in games played, sixth in hits, fifth in doubles, and ninth in RBI for the Mariners all-time.
Miguel Olivo received a dishonorable mention. Although he was a solid catching prospect when acquired in the Freddy Garcia deal, he only hit.176 in portions of two seasons with the M’s. Olivo is even more annoying because, in 2005, he hit.304 right after being dealt to San Diego, and he has done rather well in the years that have followed.
The first baseball star in Seattle was a man known as Mr. Mariner, who was named to the All-Star team and took home the 1984 Rookie of the Year award. Davis was a reliable hitter with a strong batting average who spent eight mostly productive seasons with Seattle. With a top-five ranking in at-bats, hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, and OPS, his name is all over the Mariners record books.
Richie Sexson received an honorable mention. Too soon? The past year and a half of incompetence on Sexson’s part totally overshadowed his two years of accomplishment in Seattle. Someone must be doing something wrong if they encourage the Seattle fans to jeer like they’re Yankee supporters.
Bret Boone, second base
Harold Reynolds did play 352 more games while wearing a Mariner uniform, so it’s a difficult decision between the two, but in the end, Boone’s stellar play during his Seattle years triumphed over Reynolds’ sporadic success over a larger time span.
Martinez had a lifetime batting average of.312 and 2,247 hits. He was a seven-time All-Star. Edgar is considered by many to be a prototype for DHs hoping to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Recipient of Honor: Jim Presley
Inconsiderate Bring up Jeff Cirillo. Although Cirillo made 69 mistakes at third base in his four seasons in Seattle, including 32 in 1998, it was a close decision between him and Russ Davis; at least Davis hit 66 home runs.
After years of success in Milwaukee and Colorado, Cirillo joined the Mariners, but he immediately took a hit, hitting just.249 in his debut season before reaching.205 in his second (and final) season in Seattle. Safeco Field simply isn’t the place for some players to excel, and Cirillo is one such player.
In 1995, Alex began his career with the Marines by offering comfort to a disheartened Joey Cora. By the time he signed his massive contract with Texas, he had earned scorn. Hey, he was the one who deserved the money, if anyone.
Carlos Guillen received an honorable mention. This may seem a little unjust, but Guillen deserves this questionable distinction given his outstanding play in Detroit following his trade for a pittance, coupled with his dismal play in Seattle.
Guillen struggled with multiple ailments (tuberculosis?) and never had more than 56 RBI or a batting average of more than.276 for Seattle. Naturally, he was selected for the All-Star squad the year following his move. Normal.
Johnson, Randy. Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. From 1998 to 2000, these three superstars left Seattle one after the other. What reaction did the Mariners give? Ichiro was signed by them, and in 2001, he led the Mariners to their greatest season ever, taking home MVP and rookie of the year awards.
After just seven and a half years, Ichiro is five hits away from taking second place on the Mariners’ all-time hits list. He is third in runs scored, first in triples, and first in stolen bases. In 2004, he became the all-time MLB single-season hits leader.
