Seattle Mariners Baseball
The Seattle Mariners came into existence in 1977 as an American League expansion team. They didn’t have much luck in the beginning. The fans would go home disappointed that first day, as the Mariners were walloped 7-0 by the California Angels. Losing would become a habit that first year as the Mariners finished with a woeful 64-98 record. In 1980 the Mariners lost 103 games and finished the season in the last place. From 1977 to 1988 Seattle went through seven managers and dozens of starting lineups, finishing no better than fourth place in the West Division.
The Mariner's fortunes began to turn for the better in 1994. But the fans weren’t showing up at the beginning of the season. When the season started the Mariners were among many teams playing in empty stadiums, as jilted fans refused to go to games. The team had added a core of strong players built around center fielder Ken Griffey, Jr., pitcher Randy Johnson and designated hitter Edgar Martinez. The Mariners reached the playoffs for the first time in 1995 with a late-season comeback. Johnson won the AL CY Young Award after posting an 18-2 win-loss record and leading the majors with 294 strikeouts and a 2.48 earned run average (ERA).
In 1997, the Seattle Mariners captured the Western Division title for the second time in three years. Randy Johnson won 20 games and Ken Griffey, Jr. won the AL MVP. The Mariners also went on to win 90 games for the first time in franchise history.
Leading the way in 2001 was Ichiro Suzuki who became a global baseball phenomenon and won both the Rookie of the Year and MVP. He led the league in hitting and stolen bases. The Seattle Mariners finished the season with 116 wins that was to equal the all-time single season record held by the 1906 Chicago Cubs.
Safeco Field
Safeco Field had its inaugural game on July 15, 1999. It took its names from an investment made by a Seattle-based insurance and investment company. It is filled with gorgeous views of the downtown Seattle skyline and magnificent sunsets over Puget Sound combined with exceptional views of game action from every angle.
Many people watch games from standing locations surrounding the ballpark. Many fans gather at the patio of Bullpen Market before the game to get the festivities started. Another great feature of the ballpark is that the fans can make a complete circle around the park on the main concourse while still watching the game.
The field also has an area for kids. Children's Hospital Playfield, located on the Main Concourse in center field, lets kids work off excess energy on cool, baseball-themed playground equipment.