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MLB The Show: Mariners’ Classic Teams Wishlist

14 Apr 2001: Ichiro Suzuki #51 of the Seattle Mariners high fives teammate Bret Boone #29 during the game against the Anaheim Angels at Edison Field in Anaheim, California. The Mariners defeated the Angels 7-5.Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
14 Apr 2001: Ichiro Suzuki #51 of the Seattle Mariners high fives teammate Bret Boone #29 during the game against the Anaheim Angels at Edison Field in Anaheim, California. The Mariners defeated the Angels 7-5.Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
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11 Oct 2001: Kazuhiro Sasaki, left, of the Seattle Mariners is congratulated by catcher Dan Wilson after defeating the Indians 5-1 in Game 2 of the American League Division Series at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule/ALLSPORT
11 Oct 2001: Kazuhiro Sasaki, left, of the Seattle Mariners is congratulated by catcher Dan Wilson after defeating the Indians 5-1 in Game 2 of the American League Division Series at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule/ALLSPORT

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.

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