Mariners Editorials: My Favorite Unsung M’s Heroes

Jul 21, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Franklin Gutierrez (30) celebrates his grand slam home run in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

OK… Franklin Gutierrez’s game-winning grand slam last night got me thinking a lot of things. Mainly, I’m happy the Mariners didn’t lose again. And number two, Franklin Gutierrez is one of my favorite Mariners. I loved him when they first acquired him. I loved his power, his speed, and defensive ability. He helped keep up a great lineage of Mariners center fielders from Ken Griffey Jr. to Mike Cameron to Ichiro (for a little while) to him.

So then I got to thinking some more: Who are my favorite non-great and non-franchise defining Mariners? Thus, who are my favorite unsung Mariners? In order to do something so abstractly, but so fun, I put some restrictions: No members of the Mariners Hall of Fame can be on this list: No Junior, no Edgar, no Jay Buhner, Dan Wilson, Randy Johnson, or soon-to-be Jamie Moyer. No Alvin Davis since he’s Mr. Mariner, and in the Hall of Fame. No Ichiro. No A-Rod. No Felix. No current M’s stars which include Felix, Robinson Cano, and Kyle Seager. No top prospects either so Taijuan Walker doesn’t work.

I know that’s a lot of restrictions but this is the spot for those Mariners who you enjoyed watching but never got the love of a Griffey or an Edgar.

If you want to put Bucky Jacobson on this list, go ahead. Charles Gipson. Mark McLemore. Aaron Sele, Bobby Ayala, Doug Strange, Luis Sojo… They are all fine selections.

Felix Fermin. Harold Reynolds. Paul Sorrento. Jose Lopez. Kenji Johjima. They are all welcome at this party too.

Without further adieu, I give you my top five unsung Mariners favorites.

Next: Number 5: Willie Bloomquist