Mariner Moose
Encyclopedia
The Mariner Moose is the team mascot
of the Seattle Mariners
, a Major League Baseball
team. In 1990, a contest for children 14 and under was held to select a mascot for the team under then-owner Jeff Smulyan. Out of 2500 entries received, the club chose the "Mariner Moose," originally submitted by Ammon Spiller of Ferndale, Washington. The Moose made his debut on April 13, 1990, dancing on the field at the Kingdome
to "The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades" by Timbuk 3
.
During the 1995 American League Division Series between the M's and the New York Yankees
, the Moose gained national attention when he broke his ankle crashing into the outfield wall at the Kingdome
while being towed on inline skates
behind an ATV in the outfield. Rollerblading behind an ATV would continue to be a fan favorite until 1999, when the team moved to Safeco Field
and a natural grass playing surface. Since then, the Moose has become quite adept at driving his own ATV around Safeco Field's warning track while performing various tricks and having water coolers emptied on him by bullpen pitchers.
In 1996, Nike
developed a television ad campaign entitled "Griffey in '96" wherein Mariners outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr.
was running for President, with the Mariner Moose as his running mate.
The Moose makes several hundred appearances in the community each year in addition to Mariners home games, at everything from hospitals to wedding receptions. Since his debut in 1990, he has developed into one of the most popular mascots throughout all of Major League Baseball.
The Mariner Moose was featured on the ballot for the Mascot Hall of Fame
in 2006 and 2007.
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
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...
, a 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...
team. In 1990, a contest for children 14 and under was held to select a mascot for the team under then-owner Jeff Smulyan. Out of 2500 entries received, the club chose the "Mariner Moose," originally submitted by Ammon Spiller of Ferndale, Washington. The Moose made his debut on April 13, 1990, dancing on the field 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...
to "The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades" by Timbuk 3
Timbuk 3
Timbuk3 was an American post-punk band which released six original studio albums between 1986 and 1995 that were produced by Derrick Vedrani. They are most well known for their Top 20 single "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades"...
.
During the 1995 American League Division Series between the M's and the New York Yankees
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...
, the Moose gained national attention when he broke his ankle crashing into the outfield wall 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...
while being towed on inline skates
Inline skates
In-line skates are a type of roller skate used for inline skating. Unlike quad skates, which have two front and two rear wheels, inline skates have two, three, four, or five wheels arranged in a single line...
behind an ATV in the outfield. Rollerblading behind an ATV would continue to be a fan favorite until 1999, when the team moved to Safeco Field
Safeco Field
Safeco Field is a retractable roof baseball stadium located in Seattle, Washington. The stadium, owned and operated by the Washington-King County Stadium Authority, is the home stadium of the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball and has a seating capacity of 47,878 for baseball...
and a natural grass playing surface. Since then, the Moose has become quite adept at driving his own ATV around Safeco Field's warning track while performing various tricks and having water coolers emptied on him by bullpen pitchers.
In 1996, Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
developed a television ad campaign entitled "Griffey in '96" wherein Mariners outfielder 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...
was running for President, with the Mariner Moose as his running mate.
The Moose makes several hundred appearances in the community each year in addition to Mariners home games, at everything from hospitals to wedding receptions. Since his debut in 1990, he has developed into one of the most popular mascots throughout all of Major League Baseball.
The Mariner Moose was featured on the ballot for the Mascot Hall of Fame
Mascot Hall of Fame
The Mascot Hall of Fame is a hall of fame for United States sports mascots. It was founded by David Raymond, who was the original Phillie Phanatic from 1978 to 1993. It is an online-only hall, with an induction ceremony taking place each year in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
in 2006 and 2007.