1979 Seattle Mariners season
Encyclopedia
The 1979 Seattle Mariners
season was the franchise's third since its creation. The Mariners ended the season in sixth place in the American League West
, finishing with a record of 67-95. The Mariners hosted the 1979 All-Star Game
.
was the 50th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars
of the American League
(AL) and National League
(NL), the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball
. The game was held on July 17, 1979 at The Kingdome
, the home of the Seattle Mariners
of the American League. The game resulted in the National League defeating the American League 7-6.
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
season was the franchise's third since its creation. The Mariners ended the season in sixth place in the American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
, finishing with a record of 67-95. The Mariners hosted the 1979 All-Star Game
1979 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1979 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 50th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 17, 1979, at The Kingdome in Seattle, Washington the home of the...
.
Offseason
- December 5, 1978: Enrique RomoEnrique RomoEnrique Romo Navarro is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Seattle Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates . Romo batted and threw right-handed...
, Rick Jones, and Tom McMillan were traded by the Mariners to the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
for Odell JonesOdell JonesOdell Jones was a pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Seattle Mariners , Texas Rangers , Baltimore Orioles and Milwaukee Brewers in Major League Baseball....
, Rafael VásquezRafael Vásquez (baseball)Rafael Vásquez Santiago is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Vásquez pitched in 9 games for the Seattle Mariners in .-Sources:...
, and Mario MendozaMario MendozaMario Mendoza Aizpuru is a former Major League Baseball infielder. Mendoza, a lifetime 0.215 hitter, is best known as the threshold for batting aptitude, with the "Mendoza Line", meaning a batting average of .200....
. - December 8, 1978: Craig Reynolds was traded by the Mariners to the Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
for Floyd BannisterFloyd BannisterFloyd Franklin Bannister is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched for the Houston Astros , Seattle Mariners , Chicago White Sox , Kansas City Royals , California Angels , and the Texas Rangers .-History:In 1973, as a high school...
. - December 21, 1978: Mario DíazMario DiazMario Rafael Díaz Torres is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He played from -.-External links:...
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Mariners. - January 27, 1979: Willie Horton was signed as a free agent by the Mariners.
- February 8, 1979: Jim ToddJim Todd (baseball)James Richard Todd, Jr. is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played six seasons in Major League Baseball from until .Todd was originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 10th round of the 1969 Major League Baseball Draft. He pitched in their organization through his major league debut...
was released by the Mariners. - February 22, 1979: Mike DaveyMike DaveyMichael Gerard Davey is a former middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Atlanta Braves. Listed at 6' 2", 190 lb., Davey batted right-handed and threw left-handed...
was purchased by the Mariners from the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
.
Opening Day lineup
- Julio Cruz, 2B
- Bill SteinBill SteinWilliam Allen "Bill" Stein is a retired professional baseball player and manager. His playing career spanned 17 seasons, 14 of which were spent in Major League Baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals , the Chicago White Sox , the Seattle Mariners , and the Texas Rangers...
, 3B - Dan Meyer, 1B
- Leon RobertsLeon RobertsLeon Kauffman Roberts is a former major league outfielder who played for the Detroit Tigers , Houston Astros , Seattle Mariners , Texas Rangers , Toronto Blue Jays , and Kansas City Royals...
, RF - Willie Horton, DH
- Ruppert JonesRuppert JonesRuppert Sanderson Jones is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers and California Angels...
, CF - Tom PaciorekTom PaciorekThomas Marian Paciorek is a former Major League outfielder and first baseman for 18 seasons between 1970 and 1987...
, LF - Larry Cox, C
- Mario MendozaMario MendozaMario Mendoza Aizpuru is a former Major League Baseball infielder. Mendoza, a lifetime 0.215 hitter, is best known as the threshold for batting aptitude, with the "Mendoza Line", meaning a batting average of .200....
, SS
- Glenn AbbottGlenn AbbottWilliam Glenn Abbott is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During an 11-year baseball career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , Seattle Mariners , and the Detroit Tigers...
, starting pitcherStarting pitcherIn baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
Notable transactions
- April 10, 1979: Bobby ValentineBobby ValentineRobert John "Bobby V" Valentine is an American professional baseball manager and former player who is currently the manager of the Boston Red Sox. He previously managed the Texas Rangers and New York Mets as well as the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan...
was signed as a free agent by the Mariners. - June 5, 1979: 1979 Major League Baseball Draft1979 Major League Baseball DraftThe 1979 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held on June 5-7, 1979, via conference call.-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1979 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :...
- Mike HartMike Hart (left-handed hitter)Michael Lawrence Hart is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played parts of two seasons in the major leagues, for the Minnesota Twins in and for the Baltimore Orioles in ....
was drafted by the Mariners in the 13th round. - Bud BlackBud BlackHarry Ralston "Bud" Black is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher and current manager of the San Diego Padres.-College:Black played two years at Lower Columbia College in Longview...
was drafted by the Mariners in the 17th round. - Tom HenkeTom HenkeThomas Anthony Henke , nicknamed "The Terminator" because of his ability and success as a closer, is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared closers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, pitching for the Texas Rangers , Toronto Blue Jays , and St...
was drafted by the Mariners in the 20th round, but did not sign.
- Mike Hart
- June 7, 1979: Paul Mitchell was traded by the Mariners to the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Randy SteinRandy SteinWilliam Randolph Stein is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of four seasons in the majors, between and , for the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, and Chicago Cubs.-Sources:...
. - July 6, 1979: Juan BernhardtJuan BernhardtJuan Ramón Bernhardt Coradin is a retired professional baseball player whose career spanned 13 seasons. Bernhardt spent parts of four seasons in Major League Baseball with the New York Yankees , and the Seattle Mariners...
was traded by the Mariners to the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Rich HintonRich HintonRichard Michael Hinton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of six seasons between and , including three separate stints with the Chicago White Sox.-Draft history:...
.
All-Star Game
The 1979 Major League Baseball All-Star Game1979 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1979 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 50th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 17, 1979, at The Kingdome in Seattle, Washington the home of the...
was the 50th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars
All-star game
An all-star game is an exhibition game played by the best players in their sports league, except in the circumstances of professional sports systems in which a democratic voting system is used...
of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
(AL) and National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
(NL), the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. The game was held on July 17, 1979 at The Kingdome
Kingdome
The Kingdome was a multi-purpose stadium located in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood. Owned and operated by King County, the Kingdome opened in 1976 and was best known as the home stadium of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League , the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball , and the...
, the home of the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
of the American League. The game resulted in the National League defeating the American League 7-6.
Roster
| 1979 Seattle Mariners | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 100 | 293 | 63 | .215 | 4 | 36 | |
| 2B | 107 | 414 | 112 | .271 | 1 | 29 | |
| 3B | 144 | 525 | 146 | .278 | 20 | 74 | |
| SS | 148 | 373 | 74 | .198 | 1 | 24 | |
| LF | 103 | 310 | 83 | .267 | 6 | 42 | |
| CF | 162 | 622 | 166 | .267 | 21 | 78 | |
| RF | 140 | 450 | 122 | .271 | 15 | 54 | |
| DH | 162 | 646 | 180 | .279 | 29 | 106 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88 | 250 | 62 | .248 | 7 | 27 | |
| 62 | 98 | 27 | .276 | 0 | 7 | |
| 27 | 25 | 5 | .276 | 0 | 0 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 194 | 11 | 12 | 4.04 | 83 | |
| 30 | 182.1 | 10 | 15 | 4.05 | 115 | |
| 23 | 116.2 | 4 | 10 | 5.17 | 25 | |
| 25 | 118.2 | 3 | 11 | 6.07 | 72 | |
| 2 | 11.1 | 0 | 1 | 7.94 | 6 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 104 | 3 | 2 | 4.93 | 36 | |
| 10 | 36.2 | 1 | 4 | 4.42 | 18 | |
| 9 | 27.1 | 0 | 1 | 4.28 | 12 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 5.57 | 60 | |
| 23 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5.88 | 39 | |
| 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5.40 | 7 | |
| 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5.06 | 9 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15.43 | 0 |