March Madness: Sodo Mojo’s Top 32 Mariners Moments

Just because we are a baseball website, doesn’t mean we don’t get swept up in March Madness! To celebrate this great time of the year, we are dropping our own bracket!

Last year, in honor of the Mariners 40th Anniversary, we went ahead and decided who the “Best Mariners in History”. A purposely vague term, we let the fans decide what “best” meant. The final results? A Final 4 of Ken Griffey Jr. Dave Niehaus, Edgar Martinez and Felix Hernandez, where Griffey was crowned the winner.

This year, we ask you to name the best moment in Mariners history. Once again, “best” can be interpretative a few ways. Most significant? Most magical? Just the flat-out coolest? That is up to you, the voters!

So, throughout the NCAA tournament , we will leave it up to you. We have 32 moments to get through, and we will hold the vote on Twitter and Facebook. Just vote in each matchup, and we will do the rest.

Obviously, in a tournament style like this, there will be some disappointed bubble teams. In this case, moments. Chances are, one of your favorite moments didn’t make the cut. Sorry, but these things happen. Not every deserving moment will find its way into the bracket.

With all that said, lets break down our second regional, starting with the #1 seed.

#1. Sojo’s Slam vs #8. Perry Gets 300

In the number 1 seed in this bracket belongs to the moment when most Mariners fans knew they were going to the playoffs. After coming back from a 13 1/2 game deficit to the California Angels to force a 1 game playoff, the Mariners came home to the Kingdome.

It was a classic 1-0 game that pitted Randy Johnson vs Mark Langston. Then in the 7th inning, the Mariners managed to load the bases against their former ace with 2 outs. Then up came Mariners shortstop/utility man Luis Sojo.

On the first pitch of the at bat, Sojo hit a cue shot that somehow snuck under the sure glove of JT Snow. The ball rolled down the right field line, and insanity ensued. The end result was a little league grand slam, and one of the best moments in Mariners history.

#8- Gaylord Perry Wins Game 300

Early in their existence, there wasn’t much to celebrate for Seattle. In the teams first 5 years of existence, hosting the 1979 All-Star game was the high point for the franchise. The team hadn’t even won more than 67 games in any 1 season.

Then, on May 6th, 1982 Mariners fans got to see a historic moment. 43-year-old Gaylord Perry entered rarefied air, pitching a complete game to secure his 300th career victory. He remains the only member of the 300 win club to reach the milestone as a Mariner.

Perry became the 15th member of the 300 win club, and brought some national recognition to the Pacific Northwest, if only for a short time.

#4. Griffey Robs Gonzales vs #5 Cameron Robs Jeter

It is fitting that the two greatest centerfielders in Mariners history find themselves matched up against each other in the first round.

The 4 seed belongs to Griffey’s absolute highway robbery of Luis Gonzales’ home run. On August 9, 1998, Griffey sprinted from centerfield to the right centerfield wall. As he approached the fence he lept high in the air, and pulled back a souvenir he had no business stealing from a fan.

The catch is incredible, and can be debated as the best defensive play from the best player in franchise history.

#5. Cameron Robs Jeter

There is nothing harder in sports than replacing a legend. In fact, not only did Mike Cameron have to replace Griffey, he was the biggest piece in the trade that sent Griffey to Cincinnati. Most of the fan base was skeptical. After all, who could ever do it better than Griffey?

Well, Cammy came dang close. On April 7th, 2000, Cameron tracked a long flyball off the bat of Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. What he did next was unbelievable. He leaped halfway up the wall, and snagged the ball at the end of his long glove. Coming back down from his initial flight, he casually flipped the ball to himself as if to say, ” what else you got?”.

Cameron will always be a personal favorite, as he was tasked with an impossible job, and performed excellently and passed with flying colors.

#3. Win 116 vs #6 2001 All-Star Game

Without a doubt, the best team in Mariners history was the 2001 squad. In this 3 vs 6 seed matchup, we pit two of the defining moments of that season against each other. The third seed, comes wrapped up in good memories and a sweet dose of irony.

The franchise had just watched the 3 best players in their history walk away in 3 consecutive seasons. Randy Johnson traded in ’98, Griffey traded in ’99, Alex Rodriguez signs mega contract in 2000.

Despite this, the 2001 team tied the Major League record for most wins in a single regular season. And of course, what better way to wrap up the record than by punching out the newest enemy of all the Northwest, Alex Rodriguez.

#6- 2001 Mid-Summer Classic at Safeco

This moment was really a combination of smaller achievements. Of course, 8 Mariners were named to the team, but there was even more in this game. Ichiro legged out an infield single off Randy Johnson. Cal Ripken Jr. blasted a homer in his final All-Star game. Tommy Lasorda made his famous tumble at third base.

The 2001 game was a sight to see, and the perfect way to celebrate the beautiful city of Seattle and its brand new ballpark. The simple truth is, there are too many wonderful moments in this game to pick just one. So go ahead and pick your favorite. It was truly a great game, and was a reminder of how fantastic baseball can be once again.