Mariners Analysis: Have A (Birth)day

#5 Mark McLemore’s Birthday Performance Plays Role in Historic Season (10/4/01)

The 2001 Mariner season was one for the record books. Tying the MLB record for most wins in a single season (116) with the 1906 Chicago Cubs, this Seattle Mariners squad was poised for greatness. What made this team so unbeatable, outside of the usual suspects, Edgar Martinez, Bret Boone and rookie, Ichiro Suzuki, the other guys in the clubhouse stepped up on various nights; tonight it was Mark McLemore.

From the onset, the whole team pounded away at Rangers starter, Aaron Myette, tallying 3 doubles and 2 walks in the bottom of the 1st; the 2 latter doubles were both 2-run hits that broke the game open 4-0. Later in the inning, the team’s 4th double in the 2nd by John Olerud brought the score to 6-0.

Ex-Mariner, Alex Rodriguez was the only spark in an otherwise lifeless opposition. His home run in the 3rd would be all the Rangers could muster against this unstoppable force that was the 01’ Mariners.

McLemore got in on the action in the bottom half of the 3rd with an RBI single. Then in the 4th he would make it 11-1, following the team’s 5th double earlier in the frame off the bat of Tom Lampkin. Several more hits later in the game, including another double, an Edgar Martinez homer and a RBI single that scored McLemore topped the rout off at 16-1, making McLemore a very happy birthday boy. His 3-6 day with a double, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored was the type of the performance the Mariners were used to from role players during the magical run of 01’.

Next: Clark Pitches A Birthday Beauty