Top 5 Seattle Mariners All-Time
Inspired by gomezticator's recent Seattle Mariners themed Top Five, I decided to do a top five for my favourite baseball team in the style of my now-legendary Top 5 Boston Red Sox All-Time and Top 5 St. Louis Cardinals All-Time lists. Okay, I'm exaggerating with the whole legendary thing, as I have no proof that anyone besides me and the moderator ever read them. Unlike my two previous baseball Top Fives, the Mariners aren't that historic a team, having only existed since 1977 (I've existed since 1977 too!), and have yet to enjoy true success (i.e. a World Series appearance). However, despite their modest showings over the years, Seattle has managed to have some of the most dominant players of the past generation come through their organization.
5. Alex Rodriguez- A-Rod spent the first 7 years of his career playing shortstop for the M's, being drafted first overall in 1993 as one of the highest-touted prospects in recent history. He won a batting title in 1996, hitting .358, won four Silver Slugger Awards, and was a four-time all-star. He is fourth on Seattle's all-time home run list (189), fifth in RBIs (595), third in batting average (.309), 8th in hits (966), 2nd in slugging percentage (.561), and seventh in at bats.
4. Ichiro Suzuki- The best player still with the Mariners, Ichiro had been a superstar in Japan before joining the Mariners, winning the American League batting title (.350), rookie of the year, and MVP award in 2001. In 2004, Ichiro once again won the batting title, hitting .372, and also managed to break George Sisler's single season hits record, set in 1920, by getting 262 base hits. Ichiro has won 1 Silver Slugger Award, 4 Golden Gloves, been on 4 All-Star teams, and played on Seattle's 2001 record-setting team for most wins in a season (116). He is currently seventh on the team's all-time hits list (994), first in batting average (.337), third in stolen bases (172), fifth in on-base percentage (.382), second in triples (35), and ninth in at-bats (2948).
3. Randy Johnson- The Big Unit is probably the most dominant left-handed pitcher of the era, spending nine years in Seattle, terrorizing American League hitters. The 6-10 fireballer had control problems early in his career, but once he found the zone he was virtually unhittable, winning the Cy Young Award in 1995, throwing a no-hitter in 1990, winning an ERA title in 1995 (2.48), and four straight strikeout titles from 1992-95. A five-time all-star with Seattle, Johnson pitched for their 1995 and 1997 West Division Championship teams. He is the club's all-time leader in strikeouts (2162) and Innings Pitched (1838.1), is second in all-time wins (130), and third in Earned Run Average (3.42).
2. Edgar Martinez- Martinez spent his entire 18 year career with the Mariners (retiring at the end of last season), becoming one of the finest hitters of his era. When the time comes for his Hall of Fame eligibility, he will be the biggest test case for voters deciding the roll of the full-time DH in the Hall. I think he should get in. Edgar won two batting titles, in 1992 (.343) and 1995 (.356), won five Silver Slugger Awards, played on every Seattle team to make the post-season, and was a 7 time All-Star. He is the club's all-time leader in at bats (7213), games played (2055), hits (2247), runs (1219), doubles (514), total bases (3718), walks (1283), on-base percentage (.418), and RBIs (1261), as well as ranking second in Home Runs (309) and Batting Average (.312), and fourth in Slugging Percentage (.515).
1. Ken Griffey Jr.- The most dynamic player to ever player for the franchise, Junior was the face of the organization for eleven years. A ten time All-Star (usually as the leading vote-getter for the American League), Griffey Junior won Seven Silver Sluggers, 10 Golden Gloves, four Home Run titles (twice hitting 56 for the season), and the 1997 MVP Award. He is the club's all-time Home Run King (398) and leader in Slugging Percentage (.569), is second in RBIs (1152), Total Bases (3316), At Bats (5832), Games Played (1535), Runs (1063), Hits (1742), Doubles (320), is third in Walks (747), and fourth in Stolen Bases (167).
Honourable Mentions: Jay Buhner, Harold Reynolds, Alvin Davis, Jamie Moyer