Can you name these 10 former Mariners?

How well do you know Seattle Mariners’ history? Let’s see how well you do. Post your score in the comments below.

*Answers below, but don’t be that person. Try and actually guess first!

1. I made my Mariners debut in 1999. My one stint felt like two due to injuries. In 2003, I had the pleasure of pitching for Seattle’s “perfect rotation”. Not a single sixth starter was needed! I must have made a good impression since I took home AL Comeback Player of the Year that same season. My final season with the M’s ended on a high note as I struck out a then-career-high 156 hitters in 2006!

2. My Mariners tenure was inconsistent. I enjoyed being closer for a bit. My only quality season came in 2007 when I saved 40 and landed an All-Star nod. I should have recorded the save in that game but K-Rod stole my thunder. Ironically I was traded away to help him “set up” games.

3. During the 1998 trade deadline, I was one of three players dealt with Seattle for a well-known southpaw. My time in Seattle was too short and just like the first player listed above me, injuries were not my best friend. I did enjoy a highlight as I walked the team off into the ALCS. Unfortunately, I achieved my first All-Star nod and World Series post-Mariners. And oh yeah, switch-hitting is fun!

4. I might be the most notorious ex-Mariner on this list. I had a solid career everywhere but Seattle. In the early 2000s, I was traded to the Mariners but never made an impact. I manned the infield, playing just two seasons. Not only did I have a power outage at Safeco, but my Mariner batting average didn’t match my career post of .296. I played for 14 years and hung up the cleats in 2007.

5. Guess what? I get to call the Pacific Northwest home and am originally a local guy. I played for five teams during my career but will always enjoy winning 116 games. I wore a unique type of hat on the field. I enjoyed one All-Star appearance in Seattle along with all three of my Gold Gloves there. During my last full Mariners season of 2003, I enjoyed a 7-RBI game. Though I wasn’t Mr. Mariner for my career, I was definitely a fan favorite.

6. I was a Mariner highlight from my very first at-bat. I join an honorary class of players to homer in their first career at-bat. I smacked a tater to right field off Cleveland’s Bob Wickman. I hit southpaw during my career. I didn’t even play 100 total games during my three Mariner seasons. After leaving the Mariners before the 2007 season, I spent the rest of my career with NL East teams before retiring after 2014.

7. I made my MLB debut with the Mariners at age 23 in the early 1990s. However my second stint was more memorable than my first. For such a small fellow, I sure had power in my day. 2001 was not only a record for Mariner wins, but for my home runs and RBI’s in a season. I rocked 37 and 141 respectively. My power continued into 2003 where I was picked into the Home Run Derby. I sadly joined a notorious club, coming out of the Derby with a goose egg. You may know about my historical baseball family.

8. 2003 saw five Mariner All-Stars and I was one of them! I was a career righty reliever with a very quick pitching release. 2003 was a career year for me. I saved 16 games and posted a 1.48 ERA through 63 appearances. My Mariner nickname rhymed with Chone Figgins Mariner nickname.

9. I was similar to Richie Sexson. How so you say? Every at-bat felt like either a home run or a strikeout, not much middle ground. I was known to hit mammoth home runs, including a couple at Camden Yards and New Yankee. My stint with the Mariners was bizarre. I played for one year and left via free agency for Cleveland. I was then traded back to the Mariners midseason of that next year. My Seattle batting average wasn’t eye-opening but I did post career highs in home runs and RBI’s my first year with the club.

10. I spent two stints in Seattle, both as a reliever. Hey Omar Vizquel, what’s your problem with me? You really overreacted during your at-bat the other day. I spent my career with nine teams and made it count by winning a World Series my last season in the bigs. Yet there was still something magical about playing for a 116-game winner. Similar to Omar Vizquel-gate, my second stint didn’t end on the best note either. I was ejected from the game and traded away shortly after.

Answers:

1. Gil Meche 2. JJ Putz 3. Carlos Guillen 4. Jeff Cirillo 5. John Olerud 6. Greg Dobbs 7. Bret Boone 8. Shigetoshi Hasegawa 9. Russell Branyan 10. Arthur Rhodes