My All-Time Seattle Mariners Team
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:
- Ichiro Suzuki (LF)
- Robinson Cano (2B)
- Alex Rodriguez (SS)
- Ken Griffey Jr. (CF)
- Edgar Martinez (DH)
- John Olerud (1B)
- Jay Buhner (RF)
- Kyle Seager (3B)
- 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.
Posted at 05:14 PM on Sat. Feb 04, 2017 in category Seattle Mariners
Twitter: @ErikLundegaard
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