MLB The Show: Mariners’ Classic Teams Wishlist

Finally, on April 5th, we will have baseball! Well, not real baseball, but we will be able to get our hands on the beloved baseball video game, MLB The Show 22. With the lockout now over, and the season beginning on April 7th, what a perfect appetizer to get baseball fans ready for the start of a full 162 game season. The highly successful and beloved baseball game has Seattle Mariners fans excited about the prospect of getting Seattle to the postseason for the first time in twenty-plus years…virtually.

The game has a bunch of popular features, including the ability to play with historic players, such as when the Kid graced the cover in 2017. We recently had an article about The Show, where we looked at three Mariners legends we would love to see added to the game.

The historic aspect brings great nostalgia for all baseball fans. It reminds me of the successful NBA 2K video game franchise, and their yearly additions of historic teams. Kids that grew up in the ’90s like myself get to experience incredible teams like the 1986 Boston Celtics, the 1996 Bulls, and recently the 2017 Golden State Warriors.

It got me thinking, what if The Show added historic teams? And who would be chosen for the Seattle Mariners? Here are my top three choices.

Choice #2 – 1997 Seattle Mariners

There are two reasons why I would choose the 1997 Mariners over the 1995 Mariners for The Show. First, you get to play with Ken Griffey Jr. at his absolute peak. Second, you’re getting to play with early prime Alex Rodriguez.

The 97 Mariners are a flawed team (bullpen is an abomination), but they have some of the biggest stars in the history of baseball, all on one team. You have Edgar Martinez, continuing to show why he’s the greatest designated hitter of all time. Randy Johnson, having as good if not better year in 1995, finished second in the AL Cy Young voting. ARod is a bonafide star, even with missing 22 games during the season.

The rest of the roster isn’t that bad either. The rotation is slightly better than in 1995, as Jeff Fassero and Jamie Moyer provide good depth behind the dominant Johnson. 1B Paul Sorrento has done an admirable job replacing Tino Martinez’s production, and once again, the “Bone” knocked 40 dingers.

The crown jewel of this Mariners squad is Jr. During the 97 season, Ken Griffey clobbered his way to 185 hits, a .304 average, a 1.028 OPS, 56 home runs, and 147 RBIs. Griffey wasn’t just the best player in the game, he was an icon. The world belonged to him and Michael Jordan.

The 1997 M’s won the AL West with a 90-72 record, before falling to the dominant pitching of the Baltimore Orioles in four games. It would sure be fun to see if we could get those bats clicking during October in the game.

1997 Seattle Mariners top-ranked players projections 

Ken Griffey Jr.- 99
Randy Johnson- 98
Edgar Martinez- 92
Alex Rodriguez- 90
Jeff Fassero- 85
Dan Wilson- 83
Jamie Moyer- 82
Jay Buhner- 82
Joey Cora- 80
Paul Sorrento- 80

Choice #1: 2001 Seattle Mariners

While the previous teams had superstars, I have to go with one of the greatest teams in the history of baseball, be damned about their postseason failure. This team doesn’t have the 99 overall type talent of a Griffey, but they are absolutely loaded with talent and depth. 2001 AL MVP winner Ichiro Suzuki gets the party started with his 99 overall speed and 99 contact to put constant pressure on opposing defenses.

Behind him are four other all-stars to dominate the lineup, including the 40 homer, 40 double threat of Brett Boone at second base. Patroling the outfield with Ichiro is Mike Cameron. When Cameron isn’t blasting home runs, he’s proving to be the best defensive CF in the game.

Steady hitters like Edgar Martinez and John Olerud keep the lineup moving. This offense also has a tremendous bench, with options like the aging Jay Buhner, or the dynamic Mark McLemore to use whenever you need a big hit or stolen base late in a game.

The 2001 Mariners don’t have a Randy Johnson dominant guy, but their pitching is overall in a much better spot. The rotation is solid, with all-stars Freddy Garcia, and Aaron Sele, and twenty-game winner Jamie Moyer continuing to baffle hitters.

The bullpen is what separates this team from the others in my opinion. Seattle boasts a dominant three-man bullpen of the lefty Arthur Rhodes, and all-stars Jeff Nelson and Kazuhiro Sasaki. If you have a lead going into the 7th, it’s game over.

I could keep going, talking about four or five other solid players, but you get the point, this is a solid team that clicked at the right moment and found magic one summer. I can think of nothing in the game I’d rather do than to take this squad and finish the job, cementing them as the greatest baseball team of all time…virtually.

2001 Seattle Mariners top-ranked players projections

Ichiro Suzuki- 98
Brett Boone- 96
Kazuhiro Sasaki-94
Mike Cameron-92
Edgar Martinez- 91
Jeff Nelson-90
John Olerud- 89
Freddy Garcia- 89
Arthur Rhodes-88
Jamie Moyer- 86
Mark McLemore-85
David Bell-84
Aaron Sele- 84
Carlos Guillen- 83
Paul Abbott- 81

I am so excited for baseball, and all the hope that it is bringing us Seattle Mariners fans. It has been a rough decade or two. MLB The Show has been a great escape from dark days in baseball reality. Hopefully one day soon The Show will allow us to go back and play with our greatest teams, the teams that made me fall in love with baseball.