1995 Seattle Mariners season
Encyclopedia
The Seattle Mariners' 1995 season was the 19th in the history of the franchise
. The team finished with a regular season record of 79–66, tying the California Angels
for first in the American League West
. In a one-game tiebreaker
, the Mariners defeated the Angels 9–1 to make the postseason for the first time in franchise history.
In the postseason, the Mariners defeated the New York Yankees
in the best-of-five American League Division Series
after being down 2 games to 0, a series notable for Edgar Martinez
' 11th-inning double that clinched the series for the Mariners. They were subsequently defeated in the American League Championship Series
by the Cleveland Indians
, 4–2.
History of the Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are an American 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...
. The team finished with a regular season record of 79–66, tying the California Angels
1995 California Angels season
The California Angels 1995 season featured the Angels finishing in second place in the American League West with a record of 78 wins and 67 losses.The 1995 Angels went through one of the worst late-season collapses in Major League Baseball history...
for first 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...
. In a one-game tiebreaker
1995 American League West tie-breaker game
The 1995 American League West tie-breaker game was a one-game playoff for Major League Baseball's AL West division championship, played on October 2, between the California Angels and Seattle Mariners at the Kingdome in Seattle. The game was necessitated due to both teams finishing the...
, the Mariners defeated the Angels 9–1 to make the postseason for the first time in franchise history.
In the postseason, the Mariners defeated the New York Yankees
1995 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees' 1995 season was the 93rd season for the Yankees, their 71st playing home games at Yankee Stadium. Managed by Buck Showalter, the team finished with a record of 79-65, seven games behind the Boston Red Sox. They won the first American League Wild Card...
in the best-of-five American League Division Series
1995 American League Division Series
-Seattle Mariners vs. New York Yankees:-Game 1, Tuesday, October 3:Jacobs Field in Cleveland, OhioAfter a 39-minute rain delay, Game 1 got underway with two veterans, Roger Clemens and Dennis Martínez, starting the opener. The Red Sox jumped in front first in the third on John Valentin's two run...
after being down 2 games to 0, a series notable for Edgar Martinez
Edgar Martinez
Edgar Martínez , nicknamed "Gar" and "Papi", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and designated hitter. He spent his entire 18-year Major League career with the Seattle Mariners. He is the cousin of Carmelo Martínez.-Seattle Mariners:On December 19, 1982, the Seattle Mariners signed...
' 11th-inning double that clinched the series for the Mariners. They were subsequently defeated in the American League Championship Series
1995 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 10, 1995 at Kingdome in Seattle, WashingtonThe Indians called on the veteran Dennis Martinez for Game 1. The Mariners rode the arm of Bob Wolcott. Wolcott got off to a shaky start by walking three straight hitters to open the game. But he would get out of the bases loaded...
by the Cleveland Indians
1995 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was the Major League Baseball season that led to the Indians returning to the World Series for the first time since . In a season that started late by 18 games - giving it just a 144 games - the Indians finished in first place in the American League Central Division...
, 4–2.
Offseason
- October 14, 1994: Alex DiazAlex Diaz (baseball)Alexis Diaz is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of eight seasons in the majors, from until , for the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros.-External links:...
was selected off waivers by the Mariners from 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...
. - November 29, 1994: Félix FermínFelix FerminFélix José Fermín Minaya is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Cleveland Indians , Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs ....
was signed as a free agent with the Mariners. - December 21, 1994: Jay BuhnerJay BuhnerJay Campbell Buhner , nicknamed "Bone", is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He was among the most recognizable players of his day, noted for his shaved head, thick goatee, and patch of pine tar on the right hip of his uniform...
was signed as a free agent with the Mariners. - December 21, 1994: Eric AnthonyEric AnthonyEric Todd Anthony is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.Drafted by the Houston Astros in the 34th round of the 1986 MLB amateur draft, Anthony would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Houston Astros on July 28, 1989, and appear in his final game on September 27, 1997...
was released by the Mariners.
Regular season
- The Mariners honored the West Coast Negro Baseball League Seattle SteelheadsSeattle SteelheadsThe Seattle Steelheads were a Negro League baseball team from Seattle, Washington.- Founding :The Steelheads played in the West Coast Negro Baseball League and played their first game on June 1, 1946, against the San Diego Tigers, in front of 2,500 fans at Sick's Stadium. The league folded after a...
when they wore 1946 Steelheads uniforms on September 9, 1995 at home against the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. The Royals wore Kansas City MonarchsKansas City MonarchsThe Kansas City Monarchs were the longest-running franchise in the history of baseball's Negro Leagues. Operating in Kansas City, Missouri and owned by J.L. Wilkinson, they were charter members of the Negro National League from 1920 to 1930. J.L. Wilkinson was the first Caucasian owner at the time...
uniforms. The Mariners beat the Royals 6 to 2 in front of 39,157 fans at the KingdomeKingdomeThe 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...
.
- Randy Johnson won the Cy Young Award. The award came at the end of a banner year. Johnson (18-2, 2.48 ERA, 294 strikeouts) narrowly missed becoming the first AL Triple Crown pitcher (leading the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts) since Detroit's Hal Newhouser accomplished the feat in 1945. His .900 winning percentage broke Ron Guidry's 1978 record, and his strikeouts per nine innings ratio of 12.35 broke the record held by Nolan Ryan.
Opening Day Lineup
- Mike BlowersMike BlowersMichael Roy Blowers is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and first baseman. He is an alumnus of Bethel High School in Spanaway, Washington, Tacoma Community College and the University of Washington...
- Darren BraggDarren BraggDarren William Bragg is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball. He played for the Seattle Mariners , Boston Red Sox , St...
- Jay BuhnerJay BuhnerJay Campbell Buhner , nicknamed "Bone", is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He was among the most recognizable players of his day, noted for his shaved head, thick goatee, and patch of pine tar on the right hip of his uniform...
- Joey CoraJoey CoraJose Manuel Cora Amaro was a baseball player known as "The Rooster" with an 11 year career in the MLB spanning the years 1987 and 1989-1998. He played for the San Diego Padres of the National League and the Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians of the American League...
- Félix FermínFelix FerminFélix José Fermín Minaya is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Cleveland Indians , Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs ....
- Ken Griffey, Jr.Ken Griffey, Jr.George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. , nicknamed "Junior" and "The Kid", is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and during his final years, designated hitter...
- Randy JohnsonRandy JohnsonRandall David Johnson , nicknamed "The Big Unit", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 22-year career, he pitched for six different teams....
- Edgar MartínezEdgar MartinezEdgar Martínez , nicknamed "Gar" and "Papi", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and designated hitter. He spent his entire 18-year Major League career with the Seattle Mariners. He is the cousin of Carmelo Martínez.-Seattle Mariners:On December 19, 1982, the Seattle Mariners signed...
- Tino MartinezTino MartinezConstantino "Tino" Martinez is a former Major League Baseball first baseman.Martinez was the first round draft pick for the Seattle Mariners in out of the University of Tampa where he starred during his time on campus. He began his Major League career in and has played for the Mariners, New...
- Dan Wilson
Roster
| 1995 Seattle Mariners | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Notable transactions
- May 15, 1995: Roger SalkeldRoger SalkeldRoger William Salkeld is an American former Major League Baseball player. A pitcher, Salkeld played Major League Baseball for the Seattle Mariners in and and the Cincinnati Reds in...
was traded by the Mariners to the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for Tim BelcherTim BelcherTimothy Wayne Belcher is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He won the Sporting News Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award in for the National League...
. - July 14, 1995: Norm CharltonNorm CharltonNorman Wood Charlton III , nicknamed "The Sheriff", is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds , Seattle Mariners , Philadelphia Phillies , Baltimore Orioles , Atlanta Braves , and Tampa Bay Devil Rays .Charlton holds three degrees from Rice University.The left-handed...
was signed by the Mariners after being released by the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890.... - July 31, 1995: Ron VilloneRon VilloneRonald Thomas Villone Jr. is a Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher who is currently with the Somerset Patriots. He has not been on the same team for more than two years in his major league career and due to his many baseball travels, some of his teammates have affectionately referred...
and Marc NewfieldMarc NewfieldMarc Alexander Newfield is a former Major League Baseball player from to for the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, and Milwaukee Brewers....
were traded by the Mariners to the San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for Andy BenesAndy BenesAndrew Charles Benes is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 14-year career from 1989-2002. Benes played for four different teams: the San Diego Padres, the Seattle Mariners, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Arizona Diamondbacks...
and a player to be named later. The Padres completed the trade by sending Greg KeagleGreg KeagleGregory Charles Keagle is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers from to...
to the Mariners on September 17. - August 15, 1995: The Mariners traded a player to be named later to the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
for Vince ColemanVince ColemanVincent Maurice Coleman is an American former Major League Baseball player, best known for his years with the St. Louis Cardinals. Primarily a left fielder, Coleman played from to and set a number of stolen base records. He was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed.-Biography:Coleman attended...
. The Mariners completed the deal by sending Jim ConverseJim ConverseJames Daniel Converse is a retired Major League Baseball player who played pitcher in the major leagues from - for the Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals.-External links:...
to the Royals on August 18.
Draft Picks
- June 1, 1995: 1995 Major League Baseball Draft1995 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign-Background:Outfielder Darin Erstad of the University of Nebraska was the first pick in the 1995 Rule 4 Draft. Erstad compiled a career .356 average in three seasons with the...
- Shane MonahanShane MonahanShane Hartland Monahan is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter. He played his entire, but brief career for the Seattle Mariners . He is a graduate of Joseph Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia and attended Clemson University...
was drafted by the Mariners in the 2nd round. Player signed June 27, 1995. - Juan PierreJuan PierreJuan D'Vaughn Pierre is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. He bats and throws left-handed....
was drafted by the Mariners in the 30th round, but did not sign.
- Shane Monahan
Season standings
- Note: Teams played 144 games instead of the normal 162 as a consequence of the 1994 strike. Seattle and California each played 145 games due to the one-game tiebreaker.
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
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 | Dan Wilson | 119 | 399 | 111 | .278 | 9 | 51 |
| 1B | Tino Martinez Tino Martinez Constantino "Tino" Martinez is a former Major League Baseball first baseman.Martinez was the first round draft pick for the Seattle Mariners in out of the University of Tampa where he starred during his time on campus. He began his Major League career in and has played for the Mariners, New... |
141 | 519 | 152 | .293 | 31 | 111 |
| 2B | Joey Cora Joey Cora Jose Manuel Cora Amaro was a baseball player known as "The Rooster" with an 11 year career in the MLB spanning the years 1987 and 1989-1998. He played for the San Diego Padres of the National League and the Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians of the American League... |
120 | 427 | 127 | .297 | 3 | 39 |
| 3B | Mike Blowers Mike Blowers Michael Roy Blowers is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and first baseman. He is an alumnus of Bethel High School in Spanaway, Washington, Tacoma Community College and the University of Washington... |
134 | 439 | 113 | .257 | 23 | 96 |
| SS | Luis Sojo Luis Sojo Luis Beltrán Sojo Sojo is a former Major League Baseball infielder and right-handed batter who played with the Toronto Blue Jays , California Angels , Seattle Mariners , New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates... |
102 | 339 | 98 | .289 | 7 | 39 |
| LF | Vince Coleman Vince Coleman Vincent Maurice Coleman is an American former Major League Baseball player, best known for his years with the St. Louis Cardinals. Primarily a left fielder, Coleman played from to and set a number of stolen base records. He was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed.-Biography:Coleman attended... |
40 | 162 | 47 | .290 | 1 | 9 |
| CF | Ken Griffey, Jr. Ken Griffey, Jr. George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. , nicknamed "Junior" and "The Kid", is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and during his final years, designated hitter... |
72 | 260 | 67 | .258 | 17 | 42 |
| RF | Jay Buhner Jay Buhner Jay Campbell Buhner , nicknamed "Bone", is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He was among the most recognizable players of his day, noted for his shaved head, thick goatee, and patch of pine tar on the right hip of his uniform... |
126 | 470 | 123 | .262 | 40 | 121 |
| DH | Edgar Martínez Edgar Martinez Edgar Martínez , nicknamed "Gar" and "Papi", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and designated hitter. He spent his entire 18-year Major League career with the Seattle Mariners. He is the cousin of Carmelo Martínez.-Seattle Mariners:On December 19, 1982, the Seattle Mariners signed... |
145 | 511 | 182 | .356 | 29 | 113 |
Other batters
| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Diaz Alex Diaz (baseball) Alexis Diaz is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of eight seasons in the majors, from until , for the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros.-External links:... |
103 | 270 | 67 | .248 | 3 | 27 |
Starting pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|
Other pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|
Relief pitchers
| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|
ALDS
| Game | Score | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle 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... 6, New York New York Yankees The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division... 9 |
October 3, 1995 |
| 2 | Seattle 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... 5, New York New York Yankees The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division... 7 |
October 4, 1995 |
| 3 | New York New York Yankees The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division... 4, Seattle 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... 7 |
October 6, 1995 |
| 4 | New York New York Yankees The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division... 8, Seattle 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... 11 |
October 7, 1995 |
| 5 | New York New York Yankees The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division... 5, Seattle 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... 6 |
October 8, 1995 |
ALCS
| Game | Score | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona... 2, Seattle 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... 3 |
October 10, 1995 |
| 2 | Cleveland Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona... 5, Seattle 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... 2 |
October 11, 1995 |
| 3 | Seattle 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... 5, Cleveland Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona... 2 |
October 13, 1995 |
| 4 | Seattle 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... 0, Cleveland Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona... 7 |
October 14, 1995 |
| 5 | Seattle 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... 2, Cleveland Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona... 3 |
October 15, 1995 |
| 6 | Cleveland Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona... 4, Seattle 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... 0 |
October 17, 1995 |
Awards and honors
- Randy Johnson, American League leader, Strikeouts
- Lou Piniella, Associated Press Manager of the Year
Farm system
External links
- 1995 Seattle Mariners
- 1995 Seattle Mariners team page at www.baseball-almanac.com
- A fan site collecting stories about the team and year
- 1995 Mariners: Ringless in Seattle
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