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Where does this season rank all-time for the Mariners?

By Christopher O'Day

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Freddy Garcia hurls in the first inning of game two of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees 18 October 2001 at Safeco Field in Seattle, WA. The Yankees lead the best-of-seven game series 1-0. AFP PHOTO/John MABANGLO (Photo by JOHN G. MABANGLO / AFP) (Photo by JOHN G. MABANGLO/AFP via Getty Images)
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Freddy Garcia hurls in the first inning of game two of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees 18 October 2001 at Safeco Field in Seattle, WA. The Yankees lead the best-of-seven game series 1-0. AFP PHOTO/John MABANGLO (Photo by JOHN G. MABANGLO / AFP) (Photo by JOHN G. MABANGLO/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Mariners got close in 2000
Seattle Mariners’ Alex Rodriguez hits a RBI double in the first inning against the New York Yankees in game six of the American League Championship Series 17 October, 2000 at Yankee Stadium in New York. The Yankees are one game away from winning the series and advancing to the World Series against the New York Mets. AFP PHOTO Henny Ray ABRAMS (Photo by HENNY RAY ABRAMS / AFP) (Photo by HENNY RAY ABRAMS/AFP via Getty Images) /

#3: 2000 Mariners

It was the year that Griffey was traded, and honestly, it was a tough time to be a fan. Randy Johnson was gone, and so was Griffey. Two of the staples for Mariners fans were no longer with the team. Little did we know this would be the start of the first back-to-back and only back-to-back playoff appearances in team history.

In return, the Mariners got Mike Cameron to take his place in center, and while impossible to fill the shoes of The Kid, Cameron did an impressive job out there.

A-Rod, Edgar, and Olerud led the way to a 91 win season, as the Mariners nearly won the division, finishing just shy of Oakland. This meant that they were going to have to play the 95 win White Sox. It would also lead to the one and only time the Mariners were involved in a sweep while in the playoffs.

The first game would go to extras, with the Mariners scoring three to win 7-4. They won the second as well, but the excitement would come in the bottom of the ninth in game three.

John Olerud would single and advance to 2nd on an error. They would pinch run for Olerud with Rickey Henderson. They would bunt him over, and after a walk to David Bell to put runners on the corners and set up a potential double play, Carlos Guillen would come to the plate with one out. In a surprising move, the Mariners would attempt a suicide squeeze, with Guillen laying it down good enough for Henderson to scoot on home, and the Mariners would walk it off.

Unfortunately, the Mariners would see the Yankees in the ALCS, losing in six games. It was still that good mix of surprise, success, and fun, making it the third-best season in the history of the Mariners.

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