Mariners Franchise Four Unveiled

2 of 5

Jul 9, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) reacts after getting the final out of the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

M’s fans had a unique opportunity this spring to vote for the Mariners Franchise Four. Major League Baseball co-ordinated the polling for all 30 teams to determine the greatest four players in each franchise’s history. Each team’s Franchise Four was announced prior to the first pitch in the All Star Game on Tuesday night in Cincinnati.

The Seattle Mariners were founded in 1977, and failed to make a postseason appearance until the famed 1995 season. The M’s may not have the championship history of the New York Yankees, but fans have seen more than a few great players don a Mariners’ uniform. Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, Jay Buhner, Randy Johnson, Ichiro Suzuki, Alvin Davis, Jamie Moyer and Felix Hernandez were all vying for a spot on the prestigious list.

Without further ado, let’s find out who cracked the Mariners Franchise Four. The players will be listed in no particular order, as the voting tallies have not been released.

Next: Junior

Ken Griffey Jr. – CF

If you did not vote for Junior in this competition, chances are you are not a Mariners’ fan. Ken Griffey Jr. being named to the Mariners Franchise Four surprises no one. Griffey is undoubtably the greatest player in club history, and was enshrined into the M’s Hall Of Fame during an emotional ceremony in 2013.

Jul 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Ken Griffey Jr. walks out to throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the 2015 Home Run Derby the day before the MLB All Star Game at Great American Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Griffey had an illustrious career. Originally selected by the M’s with the first overall pick in the 1987 draft, Junior raced to the big leagues as a 19-year-old in 1989. He proved up to the task, playing 22 years in the Major Leagues with 3 different franchises. Griffey spent the first 11 seasons of his career in the Emerald City before being dealt to his home town team, the Cincinnati Reds. Despite an unceremonious exit from the Pacific Northwest, the Mariners’ faithful never stopped loving ‘the Kid’. The prodigal son returned in 2009, and retired a Mariner midway through the 2010 season.

Griffey’s numbers are hard to fathom. Across 22 seasons, the kid hit .284 with 630 home runs and 1,836 RBI’s. He posted a .370 on base percentage, and slugged a remarkable .538. Junior was a phenomenal hitter, but he was equally as electrifying defensively. He won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves with the Mariners, and robbed almost as many home runs as he hit.

Griffey was awarded the American League Most Valuable Player for his efforts during the 1997 season. He hit .304 with a league leading 56 home runs and 147 RBI’s to lead the M’s to the playoffs during the ’97 season.

Junior is arguably one of the top 5 players to ever set foot on a baseball diamond, and he is a sure fire first ballot Hall-of-Famer. Personally, I plan on making the trip to Cooperstown, NY next summer to watch the greatest Mariner ever receive his plaque in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Next: Gar

Jun 21, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; New Seattle Mariners hitting coach Edgar Martinez smiles as he stands at the rail during a game aHouston Astros at Safeco Field. The Astros won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Edgar Martinez – DH

This list would not be complete with Gar! The greatest designated hitter in the history of the game was an easy choice for the Mariners Franchise Four. Edgar Martinez spent his entire 18 year career with the M’s, and was recently named the club’s hitting instructor. Martinez was enshrined in the Mariners’ Hall of Fame in 2007, and the street outside Safeco Field is named after him.

Edgar is arguably the most beloved sports figure in Seattle history. Known for his ability at the plate and his affable personality, it did not take long for fans to embrace Gar. Characterized as a defensive third baseman in the minor leagues, injuries forced Edgar to shift to DH during the 1994 season. Lou Piniella’s moving Papi to the DH role ended up being one of the best decisions in franchise history.

Martinez hit .312 with 309 home runs and 1261 RBI’s across 2,055 career games. Edgar posted a .418 on base percentage, and slugged .515. He was a doubles machine in the mid 90’s, and he tallied 514 2-baggers during his career. Martinez won 5 Silver Slugger Awards, and finished in the top 20 in MVP voting 5 times. He is more than deserving of a spot in Cooperstown, and hopefully the writers smarten up and give him a plaque soon.

The 7-time All Star had his best season in 1995, and funnily enough, so did the Mariners. Gar won the batting title after hitting .356 with 29 home runs and 113 RBI’s. He led the league with 52 doubles and 121 runs scored. Edgar posted a career best OBP of .479 and a career high slugging percentage of .628.

These regular season numbers are all well and good, but Edgar will always be remembered for his heroic performance during the 1995 postseason. On the brink of elimination, Martinez kept the M’s alive in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Yankees by hitting a pair of home runs and driving in 7 runs. The next night was even more special. Following a Joey Cora bunt single and a Ken Griffey Jr. single, Gar stepped into the batters box at the King Dome with a chance to put the Mariners into the ALCS. Edgar did not disappoint, as he laced a double down the left field line. Cora scored easily from second base, and Griffey ran the bases perfectly to score all the way from first base. The King Dome erupted, and baseball was forever saved in Seattle. “The Double” is permanently embedded into the memory banks of every Mariners’ fan, and is hands down the best moment in franchise history.

Next: King Felix

Jul 9, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) throws the ball against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Felix Hernandez – SP

King Felix is the lone member of the Mariners Franchise Four that is currently on the M’s roster. Originally singed as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela, Felix Hernandez made his big league debut in 2005 at the tender age of 19. Hernandez has spent the past 11 seasons in a Mariners’ uniform, and is already considered the best pitcher in franchise history.

Hernandez has amassed 136 wins since joining the M’s despite playing the vast majority of his career on terrible teams. He sports a 3.06 ERA across 2178 career innings pitched. King Felix has over 2000 career strikeouts, and has held the opposition to just 1.164 walks/hits per inning. The 29-year-old right-hander has won one Cy Young award already, and has represented the Mariners at 7 Mid-Summer Classic’s so far.

It is hard to pick his best season, but I feel 2014 was Felix’s strongest showing as a pro. Hernandez went 15-6 and posted a league low 2.14 ERA across 32 outings. He struck out 248 and walked 46 over the course of 236 innings pitched. The Mariners finished just 1 game shy of making the postseason, and King Felix’s permanence in Game 162 spoke volumes. Hernandez was attempting to make the playoffs for the first time in his career. He hurled 5.1 shutout frames while striking out 7 and allowing 1 hit in a win over the Los Angeles Angels. He did more than enough to carry the M’s over the threshold, but unfortunately October baseball was not in the cards.

Next: Ichiro

Jul 7, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Ichiro Suzuki (51) before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Ichiro Suzuki

After starring in his home country of Japan for many years, Ichiro Suzuki joined the Mariners as a 27-year-old prior to the 2001 season. He would spent the next 12 seasons patrolling the outfield at Safeco Field. Ichiro instantly revolutionized the sport. The right fielder was throwback to the stars of the Negro Leagues, and his playing style was a stark contrast to the steroid era.

More from SoDo Mojo

Home / Mariners News

More from SoDo Mojo

Schedule