Mariners Analysis: Have A (Birth)day

Birthdays are always special, but some of these Mariners made their big day even more memorable.

May 10th might not be any of the current Mariners birthdays, but it is mine, as well as former Mariners Matt Tuiasosopo and John Cummings. In celebration of the day, I’m feeling nostalgic and taking a look back at the top-5 best performances- based on stats, clutch-factor and flair- by a Seattle Mariner on their birthday. I remember one of the best performances I saw when I was became a Mariner fan back in 2001 after switching my support from the Yankees. It was my friends birthday and we were watching the Yankees play the Mariners two weeks before my tenth birthday. The M’s had been losing 5-3 heading into the 7th, poised for a comeback.

Tom Lampkin tied it up with a 2-run shot in the 7th, and in the 8th and 9th John Olerud and Ichiro Susuki respectively hit RBI singles to give the team a 7-5 lead to win the game. It was great to see young stars and journeyman help the team beat the mighty Yanks. I was able to see how good a team could be without having to spend so much money and get big name players; I began to admire the way a baseball team should be crafted. It was only by pure luck that my first viewings of the M’s happened to be their record-tying year, but it sure did make me a fan for life.

For the five men on this list, whatever position(s) they played for the M’s during their stint, I am grateful to be a Mariner fan and also grateful they stepped up to the plate and delivered in a Mariner uniform instead of their birthday suit.

Next: McLemore's Birthday Performance Plays Role in Historic Season