Franchise Timeline

Record: 61-101, Finished 4th (of 4) in AL West

Although the pitching staff had the third lowest ERA in the American League, the Mariners scored the fewest runs in the Major Leagues (513), which was a club record for fewest runs, and the lowest season for any team since the designated hitter era began in in 1973.

The result was a 61-101 record, and a managerial change was made on August 8, when Don Wakamatsu was replaced by interim Manager Daren Brown.

Despite the disappointing season, Félix Hernández won the AL Cy Young Award as voters recognized his sterling league best 2.27 ERA and 249.2 innings (a career high), which included 232 strikeouts and his 13-12 won-lost record.

Milestones and awards: Two Mariners earned Gold Glove Awards, with Ichiro Suzuki winning his 10th and Franklin Gutierrez his first.

Ichiro led the Majors in hits for a fifth straight season with 214 while batting .315 with 42 stolen bases and was selected to his 10th straight All-Star Game. Pitcher Cliff Lee also made the All-Star team, but wore a Rangers uniform after being traded to Texas just prior to the Midsummer Classic.

Junior’s Retirement: Ken Griffey Jr. retired on June 2, ending his 22-year playing career with 630 home runs and a certain path to Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame. 2010 stats »

Record: 67-95, Finished 4th (of 4) in AL West

Manager Eric Wedge's first season featured the beginning of a youth movement as 18 rookies saw playing time. The club hung in the AL West race for 2 ½ months, sitting just a half-game behind Texas at 37-35 on June 19. But a franchise-record 17-game losing streak in July led to a full commitment to the future.

Félix Hernández went 14-14 with a 3.47 ERA, earning his second All-Star berth. He was joined at the Midsummer Classic in Arizona by rookie right-hander Michael Pineda (9-10, 3.74) and closer Brandon League who led the team with 37 saves. The Mariners had the sixth-best ERA in the American League at 3.90, but were the lowest-scoring offense for the third straight year.

On the entertainment side, the "King's Court" was created to bring Félix's fans together for his starts at home.

After a record 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons to start his career, 10 consecutive years with a .300-plus batting average, 10 consecutive Gold Gloves and 10 consecutive All-Star Game appearances, Ichiro saw the streaks end. He batted .272 with 184 hits.

There were several reasons for optimism, with youngsters like Pineda, Dustin Ackley, Justin Smoak, Greg Halman, Michael Saunders and Mike Carp getting valuable experience. 2011 stats »

Record: 75-87, Finished 4th (of 4) in AL West

While the youth movement continued, several historic events occurred at Safeco Field in 2012.

Memorable Moment: On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 15, in Seattle, Félix Hernández threw the first perfect game in franchise history in a 1-0 victory over the Rays. The King struck out 12 and threw just 113 pitches. It was just the 23rd perfect game in Major League history.

Coincidentally, the Mariners were the first team in Major League history to have a perfect game for and against them in the same season. They were the victims of a perfecto by Philip Humber of the White Sox on April 21. It was the first time two perfect games were thrown in the same ballpark in the same season.

For good measure, Seattle had six pitchers combine for a no-hitter on June 8 – at Safeco Field – matching the ML record for most pitchers in a combined no-hitter. Kevin Millwood, Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Lucas Luetge, Brandon League and Tom Wilhelmsen blanked the Dodgers 1-0.

All that pitching was appropriate for a club that posted the third-best ERA in club history at 3.76, led by Hernández's 13-9 record and 3.06 ERA. The King earned his third All-Star bid and finished the year with a Major League-leading five shutouts. Lefty Jason Vargas topped the team with 14 wins. Closer Wilhelmsen registered 29 saves and a 2.50 ERA.

Offensively, the Mariners struggled at the plate, finishing last in the AL in scoring for the fourth straight year.

On July 23, Ichiro Suzuki was traded to the Yankees, ending his first stint in Seattle with 2,533 hits in 1,844 games over 11 ½ seasons.

Rookie third baseman Kyle Seager, who topped the team in home runs (20), RBI (86), doubles (35) and games played (155), led the group of young talent that saw action, including catcher Jesus Montero and pitchers Erasmo Ramirez, Stephen Pryor and Carter Capps. 2012 stats »

Record: 71-91, Finished 4th (of 5) in AL West

The Mariners added punch to their offense with the addition of veterans Kendrys Morales (23 HR, 80 RBI) and Raul Ibanez (29 HR, 65 RBI), and the team finished with the 188 home runs, second-most in the Majors. At age 41, Raul tied Ted Williams for the most homers ever by a player age 40 or over.

Félix Hernández and Hisashi Iwakuma were outstanding at the top of the rotation and both were named American League All-Stars. Hernández recorded his sixth straight 200-plus inning season and fifth consecutive 200-plus strikeout campaign while going 12-10 with a 3.04 ERA.

“Kuma” finished third in the AL with a 2.66 ERA while compiling a 14-6 record in his first full year as a starter. He was one of the league's three Cy Young Award finalists.

Kyle Seager continued his outstanding play at third base, as 15 more rookies saw action in 2013. Fans got a look at the top prospects in the farm system, like including second baseman Nick Franklin, shortstop Brad Miller and catcher Mike Zunino who earned starting roles in the second half.

Rookie reliever Danny Farquhar took over the closer role for the final two months because of an injury to Tom Wilhelmsen, who missed the month of August. Top prospects Taijuan Walker and James Paxton cracked the rotation in September. Manager Eric Wedge stepped down at season's end after his third year at the helm. 2013 stats »

Record: 87-75, Finished 3rd (of 5) in AL West

The Mariners improved by 16 wins (87-75) in their first season under Manager Lloyd McClendon. They were not eliminated from the final American League postseason berth until midway through their final game of the season on September 28, when the Athletics won at Texas and beat the Rangers to avoid facing the Mariners in a one-game tiebreaker.

During the off-season the Mariners made a statement by signing star free agent second baseman Robinson Canó to a 10-year contract. He led the club with a .314 batting average. Third baseman Kyle Seager had outstanding season, with a team-leading 25 home and 96 RBI, and received his first Gold Glove Award.

Pitching was again the name of the game for Seattle. The Mariners team ERA of 3.17 was a club record and the best mark in the AL, while the bullpen's Major League-leading 2.59 ERA was the second-lowest by an AL team since 1990.

Félix Hernández was outstanding again, posting a 15-6 record while leading the AL in ERA at 2.14 and striking out a career-best 248 batters. He set a Major League record with 16 straight starts of seven or more innings while allowing two or less runs, and finished second in the Cy Young Award voting. New closer Fernando Rodney set a club record and topped the AL with 48 saves.

Félix made his first start for the AL in the All-Star Game, and Fernando was credited with a hold. Cano and Seager also were AL All-Stars and saw action in the game at Target Field in Minnesota. 2014 stats »

Record: 76-86, Finished 4th (of 5) in AL West

In a busy off-season, the Mariners added several veterans to the young core of players. They signed free agent Nelson Cruz to a four-year contract, traded for outfielders Seth Smith, Austin Jackson and starting pitcher J.A. Happ. Designated hitter Mark Trumbo was added in June.

Nelson was outstanding in the cleanup role, finishing second in the Majors with 44 home runs while also leading the team with a .302/.369/.566 line and 93 RBI. He became Seattle's first Silver Slugger Award winner since Ichiro Suzuki in 2009.

Félix Hernández also had another outstanding season (18-9, 3.53 ERA in 31 starts), and joined Cruz on the AL All-Star team.

Memorable Moment: Hisashi Iwakuma threw the fifth no-hitter in franchise history against the Orioles on Aug. 12 at Safeco Field.

Young pitchers Taijuan Walker, Carson Smith, Mark Montgomery and Roenis Elías established themselves as Major Leaguers.

However, the results were disappointing as the Mariners finished with a 78-86 record. In late August, the club dismissed General Manager Jack Zduriencik.

Shortly after the season it was decided not to retain Manager Lloyd McClendon and most of the coaching staff. 2015 stats »

Record: 86-76, Finished 2nd (of 5) in AL West

A new era of Mariners baseball was ushered in as General Manager Jerry Dipoto took the helm and hired new Manager Scott Servais while making a flurry of roster changes and philosophy adjustments. The on-field results were immediate as the Mariners made a 10-win improvement to 86-76 and stayed in the hunt for an A.L. Wild Card berth up to the final weekend of the regular season.

In April, the Mariners announced that Nintendo of America sold its controlling interest in the franchise to a group of the minority owners, led by Seattle businessman John Stanton. Mr. Stanton was approved by MLB as Chairman and CEO, succeeding Howard Lincoln, who retired after 17 years in the position.

Robinson Canó, in his third year with the club, rebounded to hit a career-high 39 homers while batting .298 with 103 RBIs and earned his seventh All-Star selection. Nelson Cruz had another big season as he finished second in the Majors with 43 home runs and led the team with 105 RBIs. Kyle Seager chipped in with 30 homers and 99 RBIs, and the Mariners ranked second in the AL in home runs and third in runs scored.

Injuries hampered the pitching staff as four starters from the Opening Day roster missed time, including seven weeks on disabled list stint by Félix Hernández. With the King limited to an 11-8 record and 3.82 ERA, Hisashi Iwakuma led the club with a 16-12 mark. Flame-throwing rookie Edwin Díaz was a big midseason addition to the bullpen and emerged as the closer in early August, saving 18 games in the final two months.

Milestones and awards: Kuma was voted the team's Pitcher of the Year by the Seattle Chapter of the BBWAA, while Canó was Player of the Year and Cruz earned Unsung Hero honors.

Ken Griffey Jr. was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, the first Mariner, and his number 24 was retired by the Mariners franchise, including the entire minor league system. 2016 stats »

Record: 78-84, Finished 3rd (of 5) in AL West

Injuries played a major role in derailing what was expected to be a successful season. The starting rotation was most affected, as 17 different pitchers started at least one game and a club-record 40 pitchers in all were used. A total of 61 players saw action, second most in MLB since 1901.

The Mariners were minus their expected top four rotation members for much of the season. Ace Félix Hernández missed nearly four months and Hisashi Iwakuma missed the final five months, both with shoulder problems. Key off-season addition Drew Smyly missed the entire season after hurting his elbow in spring training.

Lefty James Paxton was sidelined two months by two different injuries, but had a breakout season with a 12-5 record, 2.98 ERA and 10.3 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched.

Milestones and awards: Edgar Martinez Award winner Nelson Cruz led the league in RBI with 119 and slugged 39 homers while earning his fifth All-Star berth and second Silver Slugger Award. Robinson Canó was an All-Star for the eighth time. Nellie and Robbie both hit their 300th career homers, and Cano surpassed the 500 mark for doubles.

Memorable Moment: Robinson Canó hit a game-winning home run in the top of the 10th inning and the American League beat the National League, 2-1, at Marlins Park in Miami.

Shortstop Jean Segura batted .300 in his first year as a Mariner. Catcher Mike Zunino took a big step forward by hitting .251 with 25 homers. And rookie outfielders Mitch Haniger and Ben Gamel provided a boost of youth and athleticism to the lineup. 2017 Stats >>

Record: 89-73, Finished 3rd (of 5) in AL West

The Mariners put together the club's winningest season (89-73) since 2003, featuring a sensational season by 24-year-old closer Edwin Díaz, whose 57 saves tied for the second-most in MLB history.

The Mariners mastered the art of winning close games, going 14-1 in extra-inning games and 36-21 in one-run decisions, fueled by Díaz's MLB record 27 saves when entering with a one-run lead. Seattle's record when Díaz entered with a lead was a remarkable 66-0.

Right fielder Mitch Haniger had a breakout season, batting .283 with 26 HR and 93 RBI, and joined Diaz, shortstop Jean Segura (.304) and designated hitter Nelson Cruz (37 HR, 97 RBI) as AL All-Stars.

Memorable Moment: Canadian-born James Paxton threw the sixth no-hitter in franchise history at Rogers Centre in Toronto on May 8, as the Mariners won 5-0. 2018 stats >>

Record: 68-94, 5th place (of 5) in AL West

During the off-season, the Mariners announced a new, 25-year naming rights agreement with Bellevue-based T-Mobile, and the ballpark was officially renamed T-Mobile Park on January 1. In addition, the club reached a new, 25-year lease agreement with the Public Facilities District, the board that owns and oversees the ballpark.

General Manager Jerry Dipoto undertook what was termed a "step back" plan. As a result, the Mariners set a MLB record for most players used in a season (67) as well as most pitchers (42). A total of 21 players made their Major League debuts in 2019.

The club opened the year by sweeping the A's in a two-game Opening Series in Tokyo and was 13-2 in mid-April as the offense opened in high gear. The Mariners set a Major League record by homering in each of the first 20 games of the season and became the second team in MLB history to hit a home run and double in 20 straight games at any point in a campaign. That start gave way to the youth movement and roster turnover that was the long-term plan.

Memorable Moment: Immediately after the second game of the Opening Series in Japan, Ichiro Suzuki announced his retirement at the age of 45. The sellout crowd of 46,451 in the Tokyo Dome refused to leave until Ichiro returned for a curtain call and a lap around the field. He retired with 2,542 hits as a Mariner (#1 all-time), 3,089 Major League hits (#23 all-time) and another 1,278 in his seven seasons with the Orix Blue Wave in Japan.

First baseman/DH Daniel Vogelbach earned his first AL All-Star berth with a hot first half, and center fielder Mallex Smith topped the Majors with 46 stolen bases.

Lefty Marco Gonzales led the pitching staff by going 16-13 with a 3.99 ERA in 34 starts. Outfielder Kyle Lewis, one of the many rookies showing promise for the future, became the first player in MLB history to homer in six of his first 10 career games as a September callup. 2019 stats >>