Seattle Mariners Mount Rushmore

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(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Baseball has a proud history in the Pacific Northwest, and the Seattle Mariners are only a part of that story. Which members of the Mariners make up the team’s Mount Rushmore?

Baseball in the Seattle area has quite the long history, even if the major league side is relatively brief. The Seattle Rainiers were one of the charter members of the Pacific Coast League back in 1903, remaining until they were contracted in 1906. After spending the next dozen years in the Northwest League, they returned to the PCL, joining with the Portland in 1919. The Rainiers, through different names and affiliations, won seven league titles before moving after the 1968 campaign.

The reason for the move was the brief appearance of the Seattle Pilots. They lasted for a single year before going bankrupt, and were purchased by Bud Selig and moved to Milwaukee. The Pilots left an indelible mark in baseball history however, immortalized in Jim Bouton‘s classic book Ball Four.

For a five year period, the Rainiers returned, a part of the Northwest League. Then, in time for the 1977 season, major league baseball returned to the Pacific Northwest, as the Seattle Mariners came into existence. This time, major league baseball would last for more than one season.

It took some time for the Mariners to find their footing. They struggled for most of their first 18 years, until building star studded lineups in the 1990s. Between 1995 and 2001, they made all four of their trips to the postseason, with the 2001 roster winning 116 games. However, they were unable to get to the World Series, leaving the franchise as one of the seven without a World Series championship.

These days, the Mariners are once again looking to find a way back to the postseason. They still have a few stars on the roster, and general manager Jerry Dipoto would trade his own mother if it could bring a playoff berth to Seattle. That stretch of futility may not last much longer.

Let us go back through the history of the Seattle Mariners and find out which of their players belong on the franchise Mount Rushmore.

Felix Hernandez (2005-present)

Unless things change, Felix Hernandez may well go down in history as one of the greatest pitchers to never appear in the postseason.

Hernandez quickly became one of the top pitchers in the game, and a true workhorse for the Seattle Mariners. He made his first All Star Game in 2009 at just 23 years old, and the next year, won the Cy Young award. During his career, he has been a six time All Star, won two ERA titles, and led the American League in wins in his breakout 2009 campaign.

As to be expected, Hernandez has been one of the better pitchers in Mariners history. He has posted a 160-114 record with Seattle, along with a 3.20 ERA and a 1.184 WHiP. A workhorse who has eight seasons of 200 or more innings, Hernandez has pitched 2502.1 innings, striking out 2342 batters against 721 walks.

However, those innings are starting to catch up. For the first time in his career, Hernandez will be on a pitch count this season. His fastball has lot a bit of its velocity, and he has dealt with injuries over the past two years. Hernandez is still a Mariners icon, but he is not quite the pitcher he used to be.

Hopefully, those changes will allow Felix Hernandez to stay healthy, and continue his climb amongst the best pitchers in Seattle Mariners history. And, perhaps, he can pitch his way into the postseason.

Ichiro Suzuki (2001-2012)

Ichiro was a major star in Japan before heading to the Seattle Mariners as the first Japanese position player in major league history. Although there were questions as to whether or not he would be the same caliber of player stateside, he answered the doubters quickly.

He hit the ground running and never stopped. In his first season with the Mariners, Ichiro led the league with 242 hits, a .350 batting average, and 56 steals. He won the American League MVP and Rookie of the Year awards, the first player to do so since Fred Lynn in 1975. Three years later, in 2004, he broke the single season hit record, set by George Sisler in 1920.

Along the way, Ichiro proved to be a major star, paving the way for other Japanese position players to come to MLB. He was a ten time All Star, and won three Silver Slugger awards. Ichiro won two batting titles, and stole 30 or more steals in ten of his 12 seasons with the Mariners. He also proved to be a brilliant defensive right fielder, winning ten Gold Gloves to start his career.

Overall, Ichiro produced a stellar .322/.366/.418 batting line for the Mariners, collecting 2533 hits. He showed some pop, hitting 295 doubles, although his impressive speed was more of a calling card. Ichiro stole 438 bases with Seattle, and hit 79 triples. He had quite the batting eye as well, with only 792 strikeouts in 8483 plate appearances.

The greatest Japanese player to come over to MLB, Ichiro Suzuki has made a lasting impact upon the game. The all time professional hits leader, Ichiro was a great all around player.

Edgar Martinez (1987-2004)

Arguably the greatest designated hitter in the history of the game, Edgar Martinez was truly a professional hitter.

Despite reaching the majors at 24 years old, he did not get an every day job until he was 27 years old. Then, in the middle of his prime, Martinez missed most of his age 30 and 31 seasons due to a torn hamstring. The late start, and the injuries, hampered his overall production.

Nonetheless, Martinez put together an excellent career. He was a seven time All Star and five time Silver Slugger, winning two batting titles and leading the league in doubles twice. Overall, Martinez had a .312/.418/.515 batting line, hitting 309 homers and 514 doubles. He had an outstanding batting eye, with 1283 walks and 1202 strikeouts in 8674 plate appearances.

His production has led to an interesting Hall of Fame debate, with many thinking that he should be the first primary designated hitter to be enshrined. After slowing down in 2014 and 2015, his case has gained steam in the past couple of years, with Martinez finally cracking the 50% mark in 2017. With two more years left on the ballot, and 14.4% more votes required to be inducted, it could be close.

Edgar Martinez was a professional hitter. That ability with the bat may lead to his enshrinement in Cooperstown.

Ken Griffey Jr (1989-1999, 2009-2010)

With his bloodlines, picture perfect swing, and pure love of the game, Ken Griffey Jr looked like he would be a star for the Seattle Mariners. He certainly fulfilled his destiny.

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A full time major leaguer at just 19 years old, Griffey intrigued the imagination. His potential for greatness was palpable, as he was a true five tool talent. He became the first player to play in the same game with his father, and when the duo hit back to back homers, it was one of the great moments in the history of the game.

During his time in Seattle, Griffey was a ten time All Star, winning 1997 AL MVP award, and taking home ten Gold Gloves and seven Silver Slugger awards. He produced a .292/.374/.553 batting line, hitting 417 homers and 341 doubles. A threat to run early in his career, Griffey stole 167 bases in his time with the Mariners.

However, his two stints in Seattle did not end on great terms. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds after the 1999 season, supposedly due to his frustration at the design of SafeCo Field. Then, when he came back to Seattle, he was reportedly unavailable for a pinch hitting appearance in 2000 because he fell asleep in the clubhouse. The media called for his retirement, and he called it quits just a few days later.

Next: Indians Mount Rushmore

Ken Griffey Jr was one of the great players in the history of the game, and the greatest player that the Seattle Mariners have had. A franchise icon, Griffey deserves the adoration that Mariners fans have given him over the years.

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