Let’s remember Jay Buhner, Mariners great, born on this day in 1964 (August 13)
Aside from Ken Griffey, Jr., Ichiro, and Edgar Martinez, I don’t think I can name a player more associated with the Seattle Mariners than Jay Buhner. Today is his birthday.
Buhner was traded (along with two other prospects) from the Yankees to the Mariners in a 1988 trade for designated hitter Ken Phelps. It was a trade that enraged Frank Costanza:
Here’s how Wikipedia describes his career with the M’s:
Buhner hit his stride in 1991, hitting 27 home runs with 77 RBI, hitting a massive home run against his former team in Yankee Stadium in July,[18] and having continued success against the Yankees.[19] In an extra-inning home game against the Oakland Athletics on June 23, 1993, he became the first Mariner to hit for the cycle.[20] Buhner began his cycle with a grand slam in the first inning, and hit a triple in the 14th inning to complete it; he subsequently scored the winning run on a wild pitch.[21][22] While well known for his tendency to strike out, he also developed a patience at the plate which allowed him to walk 100 times in a season twice (1993 and 1997) and to post a career OBP of .359. By the mid-1990s he had developed into one of the premier offensive players in the game, hitting over 40 home runs in three consecutive seasons (1995, 1996, and 1997), becoming just the tenth player to do so (and the first since Frank Howard in 1970); this feat has since been equaled by several other players.
During his career, the Mariners hosted a popular promotion, “Jay Buhner Buzz Cut Night”,[1][23][24][25] where visitors would receive free admission in the right field seats if they had a shaved head. Free buzz cuts were provided for people who showed up with hair.[26] Buhner himself participated in giving fans of all ages buzz cuts, which also included women.[27]George Thorogood’s song “Bad to the Bone” was used as Buhner’s at-bat music during home games.
After the 116-win 2001 season, Buhner retired at age 37 in December as one of the most popular players in Mariners history.[24][28] Although his jersey number 19 has not been issued since, it has not been officially retired, per the team’s policy regarding retired numbers. The Mariners require a player to have spent at least five years with the team and be elected to the Hall of Fame or narrowly miss election after spending substantially his entire career with the team.[29]
That time, mentioned above, where he became the first Mariner to hit for the cycle? Let’s watch the highlights:
Legend.
