1997 Seattle Mariners season
Encyclopedia
The Seattle Mariners
1997 season
was their 21st since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing 1st in the American League
West
, finishing with a record of 90-72. For the second straight regular season, they led the AL
in runs scored (925) and shattered the all-time record for most home runs hit by a team in one season (set at 257 by the Baltimore Orioles
just one season earlier) with 264. Five Mariners scored at least 100 runs and six hit at least 20 home runs. In addition, the Mariners pitching staff struck out 1,207 batters during the regular season: more than any other AL
team.
On August 8 he matched the feat by setting down nineteen Chicago White Sox.
Johnson posted a 20-4 record with 291 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.28. He finished second in the Cy Young balloting to Toronto's Roger Clemens.
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...
1997 season
1997 Major League Baseball season
*American League Championship Series MVP: Marquis Grissom**American League Division Series*National League Championship Series MVP: Liván Hernández**National League Division Series...
was their 21st since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing 1st in 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...
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 90-72. For the second straight regular season, they led the AL
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...
in runs scored (925) and shattered the all-time record for most home runs hit by a team in one season (set at 257 by the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
just one season earlier) with 264. Five Mariners scored at least 100 runs and six hit at least 20 home runs. In addition, the Mariners pitching staff struck out 1,207 batters during the regular season: more than any other AL
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...
team.
Offseason
- October 3, 1996: Ricky Jordan was released by the Seattle Mariners.
- November 12, 1996: Jalal Leach was signed as a Free Agent with the Seattle Mariners.
- November 15, 1996: Dave Silvestri was selected off waivers by the Seattle Mariners from the Montreal Expos.
- December 21, 1996: Josias Manzanillo was signed as a Free Agent with the Seattle Mariners.
- January 10, 1997: Brent Mayne was signed as a Free Agent with the Seattle Mariners.
- January 24, 1997: Mike Blowers was signed as a Free Agent with the Seattle Mariners.
- February 20, 1997: Dennis MartinezDennis MartínezJosé Dennis Martínez Emilia , nicknamed "El Presidente" , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher...
was signed as a Free Agent with the Seattle Mariners. - March 27, 1997: Dave Silvestri was selected off waivers by the Texas Rangers from the Seattle Mariners.
- March 28, 1997: Brent Mayne was released by the Seattle Mariners.
Regular season
In 1997, Randy Johnson set an American League record for left-handers by striking out nineteen batters in a 4-1 loss to the Oakland A's on June 24.On August 8 he matched the feat by setting down nineteen Chicago White Sox.
Johnson posted a 20-4 record with 291 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.28. He finished second in the Cy Young balloting to Toronto's Roger Clemens.
Opening Day starters
- Jay Buhner
- Joey Cora
- Russ Davis
- Jeff Fassero
- Ken Griffey, Jr.
- Edgar Martinez
- Alex Rodriguez
- Paul Sorrento
- Lee Tinsley
- Dan Wilson
Notable transactions
- April 8, 1997: Steve Decker was signed as a Free Agent with the Seattle Mariners.
- May 24, 1997: Dennis MartinezDennis MartínezJosé Dennis Martínez Emilia , nicknamed "El Presidente" , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher...
was released by the Seattle Mariners. - July 17, 1997: Josias Manzanillo was released by the Seattle Mariners.
- July 31, 1997: Heathcliff Slocumb was traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Seattle Mariners for Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek.
- July 31, 1997: Paul Spoljaric was traded by the Toronto Blue Jays with Mike Timlin to the Seattle Mariners for Jose Cruz.
- August 20, 1997: Roberto Kelly was traded by the Minnesota Twins to the Seattle Mariners for players to be named later. The Seattle Mariners sent Joe Mays (October 9, 1997) and Jeromy Palki (minors) (October 9, 1997) to the Minnesota Twins to complete the trade.
- September 2, 1997: Steve Decker was released by the Seattle Mariners.
Roster
| 1997 Seattle Mariners | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
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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 |
|---|
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 |
|---|
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 |
|---|
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 65.1 | 3 | 6 | 6.47 | 62 |
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 |
|---|
Game 1
October 1, KingdomeKingdome
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...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 13 | 0 |
| Seattle | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 1 |
| W: Mike Mussina Mike Mussina Michael Cole Mussina , nicknamed Moose, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played for the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees .... (1-0) L: Randy Johnson Randy Johnson Randall 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.... (0-1) SV: None |
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| HR: BAL – Gerónimo Berroa Gerónimo Berroa Gerónimo Emiliano Berroa is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played for nine Major League Baseball teams from 1989 to 2000, and also played one seasion in the Korea Baseball Organization in 2002.Signed by the Toronto Blue Jays as an amateur free agent in 1983, he quickly worked his... (1) Chris Hoiles Chris Hoiles Christopher Allen Hoiles is an American former professional baseball player. He played his entire Major League Baseball career as a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles from 1989 to 1998... (1) SEA – 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... (1) 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... (1) Alex Rodriguez Alex Rodriguez Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best... (1) |
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Game 2
October 2, KingdomeKingdome
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...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 14 | 0 |
| Seattle | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 0 |
| W: Scott Erickson Scott Erickson Scott Gavin Erickson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.-Career:Erickson was born in Long Beach, California, and began his professional career, after being drafted by the NY Mets in 1986, Houston Astros in 1987, and Toronto Blue Jays in 1988, in when he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins... (1-0) L: Jamie Moyer Jamie Moyer Jamie Moyer is an American professional left handed baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. At the time of his last game to date , he was the oldest player in the major leagues and had the most wins, losses, and strikeouts of any active Major League pitcher... (0-1) SV: None |
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| HR: BAL – Harold Baines Harold Baines Harold Douglas Baines is a former right fielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played for five American League teams from 1980 to 2001. He is best known for his three stints with the Chicago White Sox, the team on which he now serves as coach... (1) Brady Anderson Brady Anderson Brady Kevin Anderson is an American former outfielder with the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball... (1) SEA – None |
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Game 3
October 4, Oriole Park at Camden YardsOriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a Major League Baseball ballpark located in Baltimore, Maryland. Home field of the Baltimore Orioles, it is the first of the "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s, and remains one of the most highly praised. The park was...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 0 |
| Baltimore | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| W: Jeff Fassero Jeff Fassero Jeffrey Joseph Fassero is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.-Montreal Expos:Fassero was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 22nd round of the amateur draft, but he bounced around in the minors for several years until he joined the Montreal Expos in... (1-0) L: Jimmy Key Jimmy Key James Edward "Jimmy" Key is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , New York Yankees , and Baltimore Orioles... (0-1) SV: None |
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| HR: BAL – None SEA – 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... (2) Paul Sorrento Paul Sorrento Paul Anthony Sorrento is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. From 1989 through 1999, Sorrento played for the Minnesota Twins , Cleveland Indians , Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Devil Rays . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed... (1) |
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Game 4
October 5, Oriole Park at Camden YardsOriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a Major League Baseball ballpark located in Baltimore, Maryland. Home field of the Baltimore Orioles, it is the first of the "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s, and remains one of the most highly praised. The park was...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Baltimore | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| W: Mike Mussina Mike Mussina Michael Cole Mussina , nicknamed Moose, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played for the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees .... (2-0) L: Randy Johnson Randy Johnson Randall 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.... (0-2) SV: Randy Myers Randy Myers Randall Kirk Myers is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. During a 14-year baseball career, he pitched from 1985-1998 for the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, and Toronto Blue Jays.-Career:Myers first began his major league career with... (1) |
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| HR: BAL – Jeff Reboulet Jeff Reboulet Jeffrey Allen Reboulet was a Major League Baseball infielder. He is an alumnus of Louisiana State University.... (1) Gerónimo Berroa Gerónimo Berroa Gerónimo Emiliano Berroa is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played for nine Major League Baseball teams from 1989 to 2000, and also played one seasion in the Korea Baseball Organization in 2002.Signed by the Toronto Blue Jays as an amateur free agent in 1983, he quickly worked his... (2) SEA – 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... (2) |
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