Seattle Mariners Team

The history of the Seattle Mariners, for fans of the team, is a more dismal one.

A Brief History

Entering the league in 1977 as an expansion team, the Mariners play in the AL West. George Argyros was the teams original owner, but was out of the job by 1989.

In the early years of the Mariners franchise, they struggled to put out a winning team. The first above .500 Mariners club wasn’t until 1991.

In 1987 the Seattle Mariners would draft Ken Griffey Jr., who would turn out to have one of the finest careers in all of baseball. Making his debut in 1989, the appearance of Griffey Jr. marked a turning point in the Mariners history.

Having the chance to play with his father, Ken Griffey Jr. got to live out a dream. In a game In 1990, the Ken Griffey father and son combo became the first to ever hit back-to-back home runs. Now that’s a cool stat to share with Dad!

Now in 1995, the Mariners finally made it to their first postseason on the back of a division winning 79-66 record in a shortened 145 game season. The Mariners flew all the way to the ALCS, where they were defeated by the New York Yankees. Their late 90’s success continued with a playoff berth in 1997 where they were eliminated by the Baltimore Orioles.

To the dismay of every Mariners fan ever, Ken Griffey Jr. was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in February of 2000, in exchange for a few players who became key to the Mariners success in 2000 and 2001. Believe it or not, this trade actually worked out for the Mariners.

The Mariners would continue their success in the early 2000s, making the ALCS in both 2000 and 2001, losing both of those series.

Playoff loss aside, 2001 was maybe the best season for any team in MLB history, as the Mariners set a league record with 116 wins. This team was highlighted by ace pitcher Freddy Garcia, future Hall of Famers Ichiro Suzuki and Edgar Martinez.

The Mariners were able to win 93 games the next two seasons, but failed to make the postseason.

Since 2004, the Mariners have had only 5 winning seasons, resulting in 0 postseason appearances.

The thing the Seattle Mariners are most infamous for, is the fact they are the only team, of the 30 MLB teams, to have never reached a World Series. Despite multiple ALCS appearances and a 116 win season, the Mariners and their fans have yet to experience a World Series birth.

Lou Pinella still stands as the Mariners best skipper. Coaching the team from 1993-2002, Pinella is the only Mariners manager to reach the postseason. Also, Lou Pinella won manager of the year in 1995 and 2001. With a playoff record of 15-19, Pinella was able to bring winning baseball to Seattle, yet still failing to reach the promise land.

After Lou Pinella’s departure in 2003, the Mariners have shuffled through 9 managers in 16 years, the longest being current manager Scott Servias who won the job back in 2016.

Mariners Fame

The Mariners featured a hand full of hall of fame players, the latest being Ken Griffey Jr. Superstar pitcher Randy Johnson spent a few successful seasons in Seattle, including the play of his career when he nailed a bird flying past home plate with a fastball. Poor bird.

The next future hall of Famer the Mariners developed will be Ichiro Suzuki. Just retiring mid way through 2019, The Suzuki because the newest member of the 3000 hit club, and came back to Seattle In 2018 to finish out his illustrious career where it had started.

Challenges: The Seattle Mariners in 2020-2023

Between 2020 and 2023, the world experienced a series of significant events that left an indelible mark on our collective history. During this time, the Seattle Mariners, like many other sports teams, faced unique challenges and opportunities.

While the team continued to work towards their ultimate goal of reaching a World Series, they also had to navigate unforeseen circumstances in the wider world. The global chip shortage that began in 2020 disrupted supply chains across industries, including the world of professional sports. This shortage affected the production and availability of key components, leading to price increases and logistical complications.

As the Mariners aimed to build a winning roster, they also had to contend with the impact of natural disasters. The rare three-year La Niña event brought about extreme weather conditions, resulting in devastating storms and other environmental challenges. These circumstances required resilience and adaptability from the team and its management.

Closer to home, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area faced a wave of racial unrest in the early 2020s. This social upheaval highlighted important conversations about racial justice, equity, and unity that extended beyond the realm of sports. The Mariners, like many organizations, recognized the significance of these discussions and actively engaged in efforts to promote inclusivity and equality.

While the outside world presented its share of obstacles, the Mariners remained focused on their pursuit of excellence. They continued to develop young talent and invest in their future success. In this period, the team saw promising players rise through the ranks, displaying the potential for a bright future ahead.

2023 Mariners: Pursuing World Series Glory in a Changing World

During the period between 2020 and 2023, the Mariners experienced ups and downs in terms of wins and losses. They battled on the field, facing teams from across the league with determination and resilience. While specific win-loss records can fluctuate, the Mariners remained focused on their ultimate goal of reaching the World Series.

As the Mariners continue on their journey, fans eagerly anticipate the day when the team will bring home the championship trophy, cementing their place in baseball history. It is through their unwavering support and the Mariners’ unwavering pursuit of excellence that this dream will be realized.

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