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

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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Freddy Garcia: Seattle Mariners
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)

#1: The 2001 Mariners… duh

Was there any other choice for who the best Mariners team in their history was going to be? They went 116-46, and if not for blowing that crazy game in Cleveland, they would’ve finished the season with the most single-season wins in the history of baseball. How crazy is that? We all know that the Mariners tied the record, but really sit and think about it. The Mariners… THE MARINERS… tied for the most wins ever in a season.

Yeah, I know that they didn’t end up making it to the World Series (At least they have that going for them). Still, it was an incredible time to be a fan, the farm system looked good, and there were tons of exciting and interesting players to root for on the big league club.

Remember when Mike Cameron and Bret Boone went back-to-back twice in the same inning against the White Sox? That was the same game that Cameron tied the major league record by going deep four times in a single game.

Ichiro won Rookie of the Year and MVP. He hit .350! Will anyone ever do that again? Edgar was 38 and still hit .308. The lineup actually had FOUR .300 hitters in it! Shoot, this year the Mariners only have four guys with 250+ ABs hitting over .215.

The pitching staff! OH MY. I miss them so much. Freddy. Sele. Moyer. Abbott. Halama. Pineiro. Sazaki, Rhodes, Nelson, and Charlton out of the pen. It was incredible.

For the majority of that season, everything came together, and it truly felt like it might be the Mariners year. Unfortunately, they ran into the juggernaut Yankees during their dynasty run and lost in the ALCS. Still, this was the greatest Mariners team so far in their 45-year history, and I don’t really see an argument for any other team until they make the World Series in 2023. Yeah, I’m calling it now.

What do you think about the list? Would you change up the order? Is there a team that should be in there that missed out on making the list? There aren’t a lot of great options to choose from. If I wanted to make a list like that, I could do most disappointing teams, but I don’t feel like intentionally making myself sad or upset any more than is necessary. Things are looking bright in Seattle, and it’s a great time to be a Mariners fan! (Please don’t let that be a jinx)

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