Despite the departures of Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez over the previous two offseasons, the 2001 Mariners won 116 games to match the 1906 Chicago Cubs (who played 10 fewer games) for most victories in a season in MLB history. Ichiro Suzuki arrived from Japan and made a huge difference, and his 3-for-4 playoff debut signaled he was ready for some October magic.

Still, there were immediate questions about whether Lou Piniella's club was ready for the postseason. Cleveland, trying to rekindle some of its magic during the Mike Hargrove era in Charlie Manuel's second season at the helm, shut out the Mariners, 5-0, in Game 1 at Safeco Field. After Seattle gained a split at home in Game 2 with a 5-1 win, the Indians poured it on back at Jacobs Field, 17-2, in Game 3. Suddenly, the Mariners were in danger of seeing their super season come to an end.

Bartolo Colon, Game 1's winning pitcher, didn't fare as well in Game 4 opposite Freddy Garcia, as the Mariners won, 6-2, to force a fifth and deciding game back in Seattle. Mark McLemore singled in two runs in the second inning, and Jamie Moyer made them stand up in a 3-1 win. Cleveland, a powerhouse during the 1990s, exited the postseason quickly in 2001 and would not be back in until '07.

Ichiro finished the series 12-for-20 (.600) with two RBIs and four runs scored.

Path to the ALDS: Seattle (116-46) won the AL West by 14 games; Cleveland (91-71) won the AL Central by six games

Managers: Lou Piniella, SEA; Charlie Manuel, CLE