Mariners History: Remembering The Kingdome

Let us take time out of our busy schedules this weekend to tip our caps to the first home the Seattle Mariners ever played in, The Kingdome.

Friday June 27th marked the 15 year anniversary of the last game ever played in the Kingdome by the Mariners. The Mariners beat the Rangers 5-2 in front of a crowd of 56,530.

The Kingdome, located in the neighborhood SoDo (south of downtown Seattle), held its Seattle Mariners opening on Wednesday April 6th, 1977, as the Mariners were shutout by the Angels in front of 57,762 people.

The $67-million dollar concrete dome was home to the Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks, but was labeled a multi-purpose sports facility as over the years it held football, baseball, basketball and soccer events.

As the years passed, the stadium did not receive many updates necessary to keep up with the bigger franchises. Eventually became an ugly, dangerous outdated concrete monster.

The Kingdome has since been replaced by Century Link Field and Safeco Field shown above. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

In fact, in 1994 the Mariners were forced into a 22-game road trip after several 180 pound-ceiling tiles crashed down into the stands of the Kingdome.

Despite all of its flaws, it was home to so many famous games for the Mariners…No hitters, playoff games, and even the 1979 MLB All Star Game.

What was your favorite Kingdome memory?

Was it ‘the double’ by Edgar Martinez to send the Mariners to the AL Championship?

How about in 1995 when the Big Unit struck out Tim Salmon of the Angels with a back door slider to send the Mariners to the post season for the first time?

Did you know that Ken Griffey Jr. was the last Mariners player to hit a home run in the Kingdome? Yup. Number 377 was a shot deep to right field in dramatic fashion followed by a quick glance and a slow Jr-esque strut towards first. Gotta miss that sweet, sweet swing.

Lets hope that Safeco Field can provide us with just as many great memories in the future.