Seattle Mariners Tickets

Seattle Mariners - History

Though not the first attempt at professional baseball in Seattle, the Seattle Mariners have become a central figure in the Emerald City. Before the Seattle Mariners came to town, the city was awarded an expansion franchise that would become known as the Seattle Pilots in 1967. After only three seasons in existence, the franchise was experiencing financial difficulties and was sold and relocated to Milwaukee, and are now known as the Milwaukee Brewers. The city was determined to get baseball back, and in 1976 after suing the American League, they was awarded a new franchise.

The Seattle Mariners began play in 1977 at the King County Domed Stadium, which is better known as the Kingdome. Unfortunately, the Seattle Mariners quickly became known for their failure, not finishing any better than 6th place in the American League West in their first five years. Even in losing, the team had star players like Gaylord Perry, Harold Reynolds and Spike Owena to help sell tickets and put fans in the seats. Perhaps the only major victory for the Seattle Mariners first 10 years, was having the #1 pick in the MLB amateur draft and selecting Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987.

Ken Griffey Jr. made his debut in 1989 and helped to provide hope for all Seattle Mariners fans. Two years later, the Seattle Mariners were able to finish with a record of 83-79, the first winning record in the franchise history. Now with a star player to build around, the Seattle Mariners began to look for the right pieces to fit around him. They started with hiring Lou Pinella as manager in 1993, he had helped the Cincinnati Reds win the World Series just three years earlier. They then brought on board players like Edgar Martinez, Tino Martinez, Randy Johnson and Jay Buhner to compliment Griffey Jr. and all of sudden the Seattle Mariners were contenders. In 1995, the Seattle Mariners captured their first AL West crown and were headed to the playoffs for the first time. They defeated the New York Yankees in the ALDS in five games in front of a packed house at the Kingdome. They went on to lose the ALCS to the Cleveland Indians, but they established themselves as a force for the remainder of the decade with one of the leagues most feared hitters (Griffey Jr.) and pitchers (Randy Johnson).

By 2001, the Seattle Mariners team had changed a lot. There was no more Griffey, no more Johnson and no more Alex Rodriguez, but the team was able to add Japanese superstar Ichiro Suzuki to the roster and his addition immediately paid dividends. The Seattle Mariners tied the Major League record for wins with 116 and Ichiro was named the MVP, Rookie of the Year and won the Gold Glove. The Seattle Mariners took the momentum into the playoffs defeating the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS. Unfortunately, the team fell short of going to their first ever World Series losing in the ALCS to the New York Yankees.

As the Seattle Mariners enter the 2008 season, they are hopeful that with the help of new additions Erik Bedard and Carlos Silva, Ichiro can lead the Seattle Mariners back to the playoffs. Find hard to get Seattle Mariners tickets on TicketNetwork, your source for the best selection of Seattle Mariners tickets!

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Seattle Mariners - Trivia

• Ken Griffey Jr. and his father Ken Griffey Sr. made history while members of the Seattle Mariners, becoming the first father and son to play in a Major League game together on August 31, 1990. Less then a month later they made history once again, when the father and son combo hit back to back home runs.
• Although the Seattle Mariners have never retired a number, there are several numbers that have not been re-issued: #11 (Edgar Martinez), #14 (Lou Pinella), #19 (Jay Buhner) and #24 (Ken Griffey Jr.). The team has also not given any player the number 00, due to the fact that it is worn by the team mascot 'Mariner Moose'.
• The Seattle Mariners moved out of the Kingdome following the 1990 season, and moved into the brand new Safeco Field which featured a retractable roof.

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