Seattle Mariners Tickets

Seattle Mariners entered the American league along with the Toronto Blue Jays for the 1977 season. The Mariners failed to register a winning record until 1991. Seattle Mariners is one of just five MLB teams never to have played in a World Series despite several playoff appearances in the late 1990s and early 2000s and an all-time record 116 wins in 2001.

The creation of Mariners was a direct result of a lawsuit.. In 1970, the City of Seattle, King County, and the State of Washington sued the American League for breach of contract in the aftermath of the Seattle Pilots purchase and relocation to Milwaukee by future Commissioner of Baseball Bud Selig. The suit requested $32 million in damages resulting from the loss of the Pilots.

The lawsuit continued until 1976. In return for dropping the suit, the American League offered to give Seattle an expansion baseball franchise. As a result, the Mariners franchise (along with the Toronto Blue Jays) was established in 1976. They began playing in 1977. Entertainer Danny Kaye was part of the ownership group.

The Mariners' first stadium was the Kingdome. It was originally intended as the home for the Pilots. It was mainly the result of the "Forward Thrust" bond issue passed by King County voters in 1969.Major League Baseball was now back in Seattle for the first time since the departure of the Pilots, whose name Selig changed to the Brewers.

On April 6, 1977, the Mariners played their first game at the Kingdome. They lost 7-0 to the California Angels. During 1970s and 1980s, the team failed to have any notable achievement. In 10 of their first 13 seasons, the Mariners finished last or next-to-last in their division. They could not record a winning season until 1991.

The team was reputed for its poor performances and losing records despite having stars such as Gaylord Perry (the famed spitballer, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991, Alvin Davis (American League Rookie of the Year (1984)), Harold Reynolds (two-time All-Star (1987-88) and three-time Gold-Glover (1988-90)), and Mark Langston (league-leader in strikeouts pitched (1984, 1986-87).

Highlights of the early years included hosting the 1979 All-Star Game, Gaylord Perry's 300th career win in 1982, Jim Presley's 10th inning game-winning grand slam on opening day in 1986 (this coming after he tied the game with a two run homer in the ninth), cannon-blasts from the "USS Mariner" behind the center field wall following home runs by the home team, appearances by Morganna the kissing-bandit, and promotions such as "Funny Nose Glasses Night." One notable lowlight was Roger Clemens's record-setting performance on April 29, 1986, when he struck out 20 Mariners on the way to defeating them 3-1, setting what was then the all-time single-game strikeout record and becoming the first pitcher ever to strike out 20 batters in a nine-inning game.

Center fielder Ken Griffey, Jr., was acquired with the first pick in the first round of the 1987 amateur draft. Griffey is acclaimed as one of the most talented young athletes in all of baseball. His acquisition gave the fans new hope. Griffey's combination of charisma, stellar defensive ability, hitting power, and baserunning speed made him one of baseball's preeminent superstars of the 1990s. He helped to steer the Mariners to much greater success during his 11 seasons in Seattle.

The Mariners managed their first winning season in 1991, finishing 83-79 under manager Jim Lefebvre. Though it was the team's best season up to that point, it was only good enough for a fifth place finish in their seven-team division, and Lefebvre was fired.

The Mariners hired manager Lou Piniella in 1992. Mariner fans embraced Piniella, and he would end up managing the team from 1993 through 2002, winning two American League Manager of the Year Awards.

In 1994, the Mariners' fortunes began to improve in 1994. A core of strong players were added in the team. These included center fielder Ken Griffey, Jr., pitcher Randy Johnson, designated hitter Edgar Martinez, and right fielder Jay Buhner.

Although pitchers Randy Johnson, Bill Risley, and Bobby Ayala combined for an opening-day three-hit shutout, the Mariners' 1995 season started off on a bad note overall, as Griffey sustained a major early-season injury. Despite this loss, The Mariners played fairly well.

The Seattle Mariners celebrated their very first trip to the American League Championship Series in 1995.