Seattle Mariners
T-Mobile Park
Washington, United States
The Seattle Mariners were founded in 1977 as an expansion team, following the short-lived Seattle Pilots, who relocated and became the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970. The name "Mariners" was chosen to reflect Seattle’s rich marine culture. It was selected in 1976 from over 600 submissions in a name-the-team contest, with Roger Szmodis of Bellevue, Washington submitting the winning name. However, when the Mariners tried to contact him after his victory, he had mysteriously disappeared and was never found.
Despite a rough start—missing the postseason for their first 18 seasons and never winning a World Series—the Mariners finally found success in the 1990s, entering their golden era with Hall of Famers and legendary players like Edgar Martínez, Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, Ichiro Suzuki, and Félix Hernández.
The Mariners have three defining moments in MLB history: First, the 1995 ALDS – Ken Griffey Jr.'s legendary "Slide" secured a dramatic Game 5 victory over the Yankees, marking Seattle’s first major baseball milestone. Second, The 2001 Season – The Mariners, led by Ichiro Suzuki, tied the all-time MLB record for most wins in a single season with 116 victories. Lastly, Breaking the 21-Year Playoff Drought – In 2022, after two decades of postseason absence, the Mariners finally returned to the playoffs, ending the longest active championship drought in American professional sports.
The Mariners face intense division rivalries with the Houston Astros, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels, and Texas Rangers, constantly battling for dominance. Their home field, T-Mobile Park (formerly Safeco Field), is one of the most beloved stadiums in MLB. Known for its retractable roof, which allows games to continue despite Seattle’s rainy weather, the park also boasts unique features like "King’s Court," a dedicated fan section that rallied behind Félix Hernández, and unforgettable stadium food—including garlic fries, sushi, and the famous toasted grasshoppers, a fan-favorite snack.