The Way We Were: The Longstanding Record of the 2001 Mariners
While not readily apparent from the way they have been playing in the last almost two decades, the Seattle Mariners once earned themselves the title of winningest team in all of baseball.
The year was 2000, it was the start of a new century and the beginning of the start of something that had only happened one other time in history. The Mariners would begin that season as a team of young players whom no one expected much of. Not only did they end the season at the top of multiple categories, they ended up with 116 wins.
Prior to the start of the 2000 season, the Mariners took a blow as they lost both Cy Young Winner Randy Johnson and All-Star Ken Griffey Jr. Fate had something else in store for Seattle as they signed Japanese-phenom Ichiro Suzuki shortly after, who ended up having a historic rookie season. Ichiro walked away with Rookie of the Year, MVP, Silver Slugger, and a Golden Glove by the time the 2000 season was over, so it’s safe to say they made the right call.
Along with seven other teammates who would make the All-Stars that year, Ichiro and company broke out to a 63–24 start to the season while leading the division by 19 games. The All-Star Game was held in Seattle and would see a number of impressive performances from the likes of Mike Cameron, Edgar Martinez, and Jay Buhner to name a few. Following the break, the M’s went 17–6 and were showing no sign of slowing down.
A thing isn’t beautiful because it lasts; the 2000 Mariners made it to the playoffs that year, but were unable to maintain momentum. After winning a five-game battle against the Cleveland Indians to reach the American League Championships, Seattle lost steam and fell in Game 5 to the New York Yankees. Nonetheless, the Mariners ended the season as leaders in runs (927), stolen bases (174), on-base percentage (.360), ERA (3.54), shutouts (14), and runs allowed (637).
No other team has since beaten Seattle’s record of 116 wins in a season. The 2018 Red Sox with their 108 wins are the closest that anyone has come in quite a while to breaking the Mariner’s two-decade-old record. But that also includes the M’s themselves, who are currently in the midst of a very long postseason drought.
All is not lost, because the Mariners have started the 2019 season in the most promising fashion that has been seen in their recent history. General Manager Jerry Dipoto came in and brought a great deal of young talent to Seattle that hints at the talents of old who propelled the historic 2000 team. But in a sport that is unpredictable with a season that is long, it’s too soon to tell if 116 will stand.
