2005 Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners were a model of consistent success from 2000 to 2003, with a minimum of 91 wins and a record-tying 116 wins in 2001. Last year, they slumped by 30 wins over their 2003 total of 93, despite Ichiro Suzuki's record 262 hits. Even so, the Mariners have an appealing ballpark, a nucleus of exciting players, and plans to return to the top soon. Tickets to a Mariners game are a treat for all fans.

The Seattle Mariners are a fairly new franchise to Major League Baseball. The team first started playing baseball in 1977 in the American League. The club's history up until the 1990s was quite poor, without a winning season until 1991.

The team's complexion changed in the late 80s and early 90s with five key events: the drafting and eventual call to the majors of Ken Griffey Jr., the rise to the majors of Edgar Martinez, the acquisition of Jay Buhner, the acquisition of Randy Johnson and the hiring of fiery manager Lou Pinella, who had managed the Reds to a World Series Championship in 1990. The team went to its first post season in 1995, winning the American League West division, and eventually lost in the American League Championship Series despite beating the Yankees in a legendary division series. The team still plays in the American League West against such rivals as the Oakland A's, Anaheim Angels, and Texas Rangers.

The team has ushered in a new era of Mariners' baseball, with Edgar Martinez being the only aforementioned person still with the team. The team is now managed by former Arizona Diamondbacks' bench coach Bob Melvin. Melvin was a coach on the 2001 World Championship team, and he hopes to bring this winning attitude to Seattle. The Mariners roster may be different from the teams in the 1990s, but it still is loaded with power; they also have great power-hitting second baseman Brett Boone and pitcher Joel Pineiro.

From the start of their franchise until 1998, the Seattle Mariners played at the Seattle Kingdome. Seattle is known for its rain, but despite the rain it has great weather which Seattle ticket holders were being deprived of. This problem was solved in 1999 with the building of beautiful retractable-roof stadium named Safeco Field. Since the Inaugural Game on July 15, 1999, Safeco Field has gained a reputation locally, regionally and nationally as a terrific setting for baseball and a great place for baseball fans. Sweeping views of the downtown Seattle skyline and breathtaking sunsets over Puget Sound combined with excellent views of game action from all angles, giving fans at Safeco Field an experience unequalled in Major League Baseball.

While it is a long way down from 116 wins, the Mariners still are a good draw for Seattle, so plan your ticket purchase well in advance.