The other day, via social media the Seattle Mariners organization encouraged fans to vote for their all-time Mariners team as the 40th anniversary of the team that has never been to the World Series nears. 

So I bit. 

Right away it was tougher than I thought. We got four options for 1B and none were overwhelming choices:

• Bruce Bochte
• Alvin Davis
• Tino Martinez
• John Olerud

I suppose if I was going off the Mariners-only record, I would go with Davis, since he was with the team the longest. He was also before my time. I arrived in Seattle in '91. I might also go with Tino for his fierce determination to win—a determination which wound up benefiting our enemies. But in the end I went for the calm grace, good glove and high OBP of Washington's own Johnny O. 

Second base wasn't any easier:

• Bret Boone
• Robinson Cano
• Joey Cora
• Harold Reynolds

Reynolds was with the team the longest, Boone had that suspect Rogers Hornsby-esque year, but I had to go Cano. I figure he'll make up any difference in a year or two. 

I'll cut to the chase: Here's my lineup:

1. Ichiro Suzuki (LF)
2. Robinson Cano (2B)
3. Alex Rodriguez (SS)
4. Ken Griffey Jr. (CF)
5. Edgar Martinez (DH)
6. John Olerud (1B)
7. Jay Buhner (RF)
8. Kyle Seager (3B)
9. Dan Wilson (C)

• Randy Johnson (LHP)
• Felix Hernandez (RHP)

The biggest internal debate was third base: Seager vs. Adrian Beltre. Adrian's going in the Hall, Seager most likely no; but Adrian had his worst years here. Couldn't do it.

Then I got to closer. Good god. The options:

• Norm Charlton
• J.J. Putz
• Kasuhiro Sasaki
• Mike Schooler

I wound up tossing in the towel. I couldn't in all conscience choose any of them. 

Closer nothwithstanding, I'd put this all-time team up against many. That one-two punch on the mound? The top five in that lineup? That's impressive. And makes the zero pennants flapping in right field all the more dispiriting.