to win the game in the 11th inning, clinched a series win for the Mariners, served as a powerful impetus to preserve baseball in Seattle, and has since become an iconic moment in team history. The Mariners won 116 games in , 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. Through the end of the 2020 season, the franchise has finished with a losing record in 30 of 44 seasons.
The Mariners finished with a 64–98 record, echoing the record the 1969 Pilots once held; however, the team was able to avoid last place in the AL West by half a game.
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 National Football League's expansion Seattle Seahawks in 1976.
The name "Mariners" was chosen by club officials in August 1976 from over 600 names submitted by 15,000 entrants in a name-the-team contest. 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 Angels.
The team joined the American League as an expansion team in 1977 playing their home games in the Kingdome.
The first home run in team history was hit on April 10, 1977, by designated hitter Juan Bernhardt. That year, star pitcher Diego Seguí, in his last major league season, became the only player to play for both the Pilots and the Mariners.
The lettering colors were blue with gold trim, though in the 1977 season the trim on the road jersey was white and the "Seattle" wordmark appeared smaller.
Niehaus, who had broadcast for the Mariners since their inaugural season of 1977, died on November 10, 2010.
In 1979, Seattle hosted the 50th Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
The trident logo was added to the left sleeve prior to the 1979 season. The cap was all-blue and featured the gold trident logo with white trim. ===1981–1986=== The Mariners made some subtle changes to the uniform in 1981.
The jersey has a design similar to their home white jerseys but features a powder blue throwback to the team colors during the 1980s.
After the 1981 season, the Mariners were sold to California businessman George Argyros, who in turn sold the team to Jeff Smulyan in 1989, and then to Nintendo of America in 1992. During the 1992–93 offseason, the Mariners hired manager Lou Piniella, who had led the Cincinnati Reds to victory in the 1990 World Series.
The trident logo was added to the left sleeve prior to the 1979 season. The cap was all-blue and featured the gold trident logo with white trim. ===1981–1986=== The Mariners made some subtle changes to the uniform in 1981.
In 1985, the road jersey color was changed to grey. The cap logo also featured a slight update of the trident logo, changing its color to blue, along with additional outlines and a white star background. ===1987–1992=== In 1987, the Mariners changed its uniform style to traditional buttoned tops and belted pants.
This commemorates a 1985 prank attempt to make "Louie Louie" the state song of Washington. ===Hydroplane Races and Cap-and-Ball Game=== As part of the mid-inning entertainment during games, three animated hydroplanes race on the T-Mobile Park Jumbotron screen.
Frick Award recipients=== ===State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame=== ==Minor league affiliations== The Seattle Mariners farm system consists of six minor league affiliates. ==Radio and television== The Mariners' flagship radio station is KIRO-AM (710 ESPN Radio), which previously broadcast Mariners contests from 1985 to 2002.
They are nicknamed the M's, a title featured in their primary logo from 1987 to 1992.
In 1985, the road jersey color was changed to grey. The cap logo also featured a slight update of the trident logo, changing its color to blue, along with additional outlines and a white star background. ===1987–1992=== In 1987, the Mariners changed its uniform style to traditional buttoned tops and belted pants.
For the 2011 season, Dave Niehaus' duties in the broadcast booth were filled by a collection of former Mariners broadcasters such as Ron Fairly, Ken Levine, and Ken Wilson; and former Mariners' players such as Dave Valle, Dan Wilson, Jay Buhner, and Dave Henderson. Tom Hutyler has been the Mariners' public address announcer since 1987, first at the Kingdome, and presently at T-Mobile Park.
After the 1981 season, the Mariners were sold to California businessman George Argyros, who in turn sold the team to Jeff Smulyan in 1989, and then to Nintendo of America in 1992. During the 1992–93 offseason, the Mariners hired manager Lou Piniella, who had led the Cincinnati Reds to victory in the 1990 World Series.
After the 1981 season, the Mariners were sold to California businessman George Argyros, who in turn sold the team to Jeff Smulyan in 1989, and then to Nintendo of America in 1992. During the 1992–93 offseason, the Mariners hired manager Lou Piniella, who had led the Cincinnati Reds to victory in the 1990 World Series.
From 1990 to 1996, the Moose wore the last 2 digits of the year of the current season. ==Culture== ==="Louie Louie"=== As part of the seventh-inning stretch, after the crowd is led in singing "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" or "God Bless America" the public address system plays the Kingsmen's version of "Louie Louie".
Their mascot is the Mariner Moose. 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 Yankees in the ALDS.
They are nicknamed the M's, a title featured in their primary logo from 1987 to 1992.
After the 1981 season, the Mariners were sold to California businessman George Argyros, who in turn sold the team to Jeff Smulyan in 1989, and then to Nintendo of America in 1992. During the 1992–93 offseason, the Mariners hired manager Lou Piniella, who had led the Cincinnati Reds to victory in the 1990 World Series.
They adopted their current team colors – navy blue, northwest green (teal), and silver – prior to the 1993 season, after having been royal blue and gold since the team's inception.
The original version was unveiled in 1994 and had "Mariners" in silver with navy and white trim.
The Mariners also wore Northwest Green caps with navy brims, but only in the 1994 season, and a navy "compass" cap with grey brims in the 1997 season. In January 2015, the team announced a new alternate uniform to be worn for Sunday home games.
The cap has the usual navy blue color, but with a logo that features the signature compass rose and with a large M in the center. ==Spring training== The Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona, has been the Mariners' home spring training facility since 1994.
From 1990 to 1996, the Moose wore the last 2 digits of the year of the current season. ==Culture== ==="Louie Louie"=== As part of the seventh-inning stretch, after the crowd is led in singing "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" or "God Bless America" the public address system plays the Kingsmen's version of "Louie Louie".
The primary logo is applied to the left sleeve. From 1997 to 2000, the Mariners also wore sleeveless versions of their primary uniforms, accompanied with a navy undershirt. The Mariners have also worn Northwest Green alternate uniforms at some points in their history.
The Mariners did not wear these uniforms from 1997 to 2010, after which it became a regular part of their uniform rotation.
It is currently seen during Friday home games. The navy alternate uniform originally replaced the Northwest Green alternate in 1997 and featured the team name in silver with Northwest Green and navy trim.
The Mariners also wore Northwest Green caps with navy brims, but only in the 1994 season, and a navy "compass" cap with grey brims in the 1997 season. In January 2015, the team announced a new alternate uniform to be worn for Sunday home games.
There were 44,607 people in attendance that night. ===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.
In doing so, the team broke the 1998 Yankees American League single-season record of 114 wins and matched the all-time MLB single-season record for wins set by the Chicago Cubs.
(1997, 1998) Most Grand Slams: 4, Edgar Martínez (2000) Most RBIs: 147, Ken Griffey Jr.
In 1999, the alternates were updated to feature the city name with the "S" behind the "compass" logo and silver piping; this became their road alternate the following season after a corresponding home navy alternate was introduced.
For the full season records, see here. ==T-Mobile Park== T-Mobile Park (known as Safeco Field from 1999 to 2018) has been home to the Seattle Mariners since the first game vs.
the San Diego Padres on July 15, 1999.
The primary logo is applied to the left sleeve. From 1997 to 2000, the Mariners also wore sleeveless versions of their primary uniforms, accompanied with a navy undershirt. The Mariners have also worn Northwest Green alternate uniforms at some points in their history.
The promotion continued until Buhner's retirement in 2001, with a year's hiatus in 2000, and is still remembered by fans today. ===Rally Fries=== Rally Fries are a baseball tradition started by Mariners broadcaster Mike Blowers in 2007.
They hold the longest playoff drought in all of the four major North American professional sports, having not qualified for the playoffs since their 116-win season in 2001. As of 2020, the Mariners all-time win–loss record is 3,246-3,655 (.470 win–loss percentage). ==History== The Mariners were created as a result of a lawsuit.
The grey road uniform originally featured "Seattle" in navy with Northwest Green and white trim; in 2001, the "compass" logo was added in the middle of the "S".
The promotion continued until Buhner's retirement in 2001, with a year's hiatus in 2000, and is still remembered by fans today. ===Rally Fries=== Rally Fries are a baseball tradition started by Mariners broadcaster Mike Blowers in 2007.
Frick Award recipients=== ===State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame=== ==Minor league affiliations== The Seattle Mariners farm system consists of six minor league affiliates. ==Radio and television== The Mariners' flagship radio station is KIRO-AM (710 ESPN Radio), which previously broadcast Mariners contests from 1985 to 2002.
The last combined one occurred in 2003, when six Houston Astros no-hit the New York Yankees in New York.
In 2003, the silver piping was removed and the letter and number fonts were changed to match the wordmark.
The promotion continued until Buhner's retirement in 2001, with a year's hiatus in 2000, and is still remembered by fans today. ===Rally Fries=== Rally Fries are a baseball tradition started by Mariners broadcaster Mike Blowers in 2007.
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.
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. Griffey Jr.
Wakamatsu and Zduriencik hired an entirely new coaching staff for 2009, which included former World Series MVP John Wetteland as bullpen coach.
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. Griffey Jr.
This became so popular with the fans that signs were even seen when the Mariners were the visiting team, although on August 1, 2009, Blowers established that he only gives out fries at home games. Generally, Blowers would select a person or a group of people that appealed to him, whether it was through fans wearing elaborate costumes or waving funny signs and boards.
announced his retirement on June 2, 2010, after 22 MLB seasons. The Mariners fired field manager Don Wakamatsu along with bench coach Ty Van Burkleo, pitching coach Rick Adair and performance coach Steve Hecht on August 9, 2010.
Carl Willis, the former Minor League pitching coordinator, was promoted to pitching coach. The Mariners hired former Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge as their new manager on October 19, 2010. Dave Niehaus, the Mariners' play-by-play announcer since the team's inception, died of a [attack] on November 10, 2010, at the age of 75.
In memory of Niehaus, Seattle rapper Macklemore wrote a tribute song called "My Oh My" in December 2010.
The Mariners did not wear these uniforms from 1997 to 2010, after which it became a regular part of their uniform rotation.
Spanish-language radio broadcast duties are handled by Alex Rivera on play-by-play and former second baseman Julio Cruz providing color commentary. The Mariners' broadcast team for 2010 featured Dave Niehaus and Rizzs—back for their 32nd and 23rd seasons with the club, respectively—as well as Sims and Blowers.
Niehaus, who had broadcast for the Mariners since their inaugural season of 1977, died on November 10, 2010.
The winners were generally selected around the 5th or 6th inning, although potential candidates were 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 star pitcher "King" Félix Hernández.
For the 2011 season, Dave Niehaus' duties in the broadcast booth were filled by a collection of former Mariners broadcasters such as Ron Fairly, Ken Levine, and Ken Wilson; and former Mariners' players such as Dave Valle, Dan Wilson, Jay Buhner, and Dave Henderson. Tom Hutyler has been the Mariners' public address announcer since 1987, first at the Kingdome, and presently at T-Mobile Park.
He performed the song at the Mariners' Opening Day game on April 8, . On April 21, 2012, Philip Humber of the Chicago White Sox threw the third perfect game in Chicago White Sox history against the Mariners at Safeco Field in Seattle.
Mariners starting pitcher Kevin Millwood and five other pitchers combined to throw the tenth combined no-hitter in MLB history and the first in team history on June 8, 2012.
Félix Hernández pitched the first perfect game in team history, shutting down the Tampa Bay Rays 1–0 at Safeco Field on August 15, 2012.
In 2012, after the Northwest Green home alternates were brought back, the navy uniforms were tweaked anew, this time with the city name in front.
It was presumably taken out of circulation again, following Ichiro's 2012 trade to the Yankees coupled with Johnson's 2015 election into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The first Supreme Court was Félix's first home game following his perfect game in 2012.
Following opening day 2012, it occurred each year at Félix's first home game of each season. Following Felix's departure from the Mariners at the end of the 2019 season, the King's Court is now officially retired. ===The Maple Grove=== The ultimately disappointing 2017 season had a few bright spots, including the establishment of the Maple Grove, a celebration of Canadian pitcher James Paxton and inspired by the King's Court.
On March 25, 2013, in a 16–0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, the Mariners broke the team record for total home runs during a spring training season with 52. ==Season records== This is a partial list listing the past 21 completed regular seasons.
Selected Mariners games are also available on Canadian television, due to an agreement between Root Sports Northwest and Rogers Sportsnet Pacific. Since 2013, Rick Rizzs and Aaron Goldsmith have called games on the radio.
The Mariners became the first team in Major League Baseball to be involved in two perfect games in one season. General Manager (GM) Jack Zduriencik was relieved of his position by the team on August 28, 2015.
On October 9, 2015, manager Lloyd McClendon was fired, and the search for a new manager was begun.
Scott Servais was named the new Mariners' manager on October 23, 2015. Nintendo of America issued a press release on April 27, 2016, stating it would sell most shares it held of Seattle Mariners ownership to First Avenue Entertainment limited partnership.
In 2015, a silver inline was added to the wordmark of both uniforms, which was also applied to the block letters and numbers.
The Mariners also wore Northwest Green caps with navy brims, but only in the 1994 season, and a navy "compass" cap with grey brims in the 1997 season. In January 2015, the team announced a new alternate uniform to be worn for Sunday home games.
It was presumably taken out of circulation again, following Ichiro's 2012 trade to the Yankees coupled with Johnson's 2015 election into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Scott Servais was named the new Mariners' manager on October 23, 2015. Nintendo of America issued a press release on April 27, 2016, stating it would sell most shares it held of Seattle Mariners ownership to First Avenue Entertainment limited partnership.
Nintendo retained a 10% ownership share of the team after the sale was completed in August 2016. ==Uniforms== ===1977–1980=== The Mariners' original colors were blue and gold.
Eligibility shall not commence until after the former player has been voted on once for the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which for all practical purposes means six years after retirement. Ken Griffey Jr.'s number 24 was retired at the beginning of the 2016 season, with the retirement ceremony taking place on August 6, 2016.
During the 2016 season, the Mariners averaged a 5.84 rating and 103,000 viewers on primetime TV broadcasts.
Griffey had been elected to the Hall of Fame in January of that year. Edgar Martínez's number 11 was retired during the 2017 season, with the retirement ceremony taking place on August 12, 2017.
His number 11 was retired in 2017, predating his 2019 election to the Hall of Fame and seemingly establishing the 58.6% of the vote he received that year as sufficiently "close" to election to satisfy the club's bylaws.
Following opening day 2012, it occurred each year at Félix's first home game of each season. Following Felix's departure from the Mariners at the end of the 2019 season, the King's Court is now officially retired. ===The Maple Grove=== The ultimately disappointing 2017 season had a few bright spots, including the establishment of the Maple Grove, a celebration of Canadian pitcher James Paxton and inspired by the King's Court.
For the full season records, see here. ==T-Mobile Park== T-Mobile Park (known as Safeco Field from 1999 to 2018) has been home to the Seattle Mariners since the first game vs.
The live tree was retired in 2018, replaced by a hardier fake tree. When Paxton got to two strikes on a batter, the Grove held up “Eh” Cards, a tip of the cap to Paxton's home country of Canada and a nod to the "K" (for strikeout) cards held up in King's Court.
The Grove continued until Paxton was traded to the Yankees following the 2018 season. ==Players of note== ===Baseball Hall of Famers=== The following elected members of the Baseball Hall of Fame spent part of their careers with the Mariners. ===Ford C.
The cap features the current cap logo in the throwback colors. In January 2019, the Mariners announced a new home and away uniform to be worn during spring training.
His number 11 was retired in 2017, predating his 2019 election to the Hall of Fame and seemingly establishing the 58.6% of the vote he received that year as sufficiently "close" to election to satisfy the club's bylaws.
Following opening day 2012, it occurred each year at Félix's first home game of each season. Following Felix's departure from the Mariners at the end of the 2019 season, the King's Court is now officially retired. ===The Maple Grove=== The ultimately disappointing 2017 season had a few bright spots, including the establishment of the Maple Grove, a celebration of Canadian pitcher James Paxton and inspired by the King's Court.
to win the game in the 11th inning, clinched a series win for the Mariners, served as a powerful impetus to preserve baseball in Seattle, and has since become an iconic moment in team history. The Mariners won 116 games in , 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. Through the end of the 2020 season, the franchise has finished with a losing record in 30 of 44 seasons.
They hold the longest playoff drought in all of the four major North American professional sports, having not qualified for the playoffs since their 116-win season in 2001. As of 2020, the Mariners all-time win–loss record is 3,246-3,655 (.470 win–loss percentage). ==History== The Mariners were created as a result of a lawsuit.
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