Tagged: Hall of Fame
Ken Griffey Jr. New Conference In Seattle
As you all know, Ken Griffey Jr. was elected by the Baseball Writers Association of America to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Following a whirlwind of commitments in New York, including the Hall of Fame News Conference, appearances on MLB Network and the New York Stock Exchange, The Kid is heading to Seattle.
Junior will join Seattle credentialed media at Safeco Field early this evening (approximately 5:30 pm depending on his flight) to discuss his election, the experiences of his last few days and of course his time in Seattle as a player.
Stay tuned to Mariners social media accounts and visit Mariners.com to watch live as Junior arrives.
Welcome to Cooperstown Randy!
It is a special day at Safeco Field, as one of our own, Randy Johnson, has been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame with 97.3% of votes. Randy spent 10 seasons with the Mariners, amassing 2,162 of his 4,875 strikeouts in a Seattle uniform. Mariners Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Howard Lincoln issued the following statement today on Johnson’s election to the Hall of Fame:
On behalf of the Mariners franchise and ownership, we wish to add our congratulations to Randy Johnson on his well-deserved election to the Baseball Hall of Fame today.
Randy began his career in Montreal, but began his ascent to the Hall of Fame here in Seattle.
After his arrival in 1989, he tossed his first no-hitter with the Mariners in 1990, had his breakthrough season in 1993 (when he was 19-8) and claimed his first Cy Young Award in 1995. No one who watched this fierce competitor dominate during his decade in Seattle — including his wins in Game 3 and, on one day rest, Game 5 of the 1995 Division Series vs. New York – had any doubt of him taking his rightful place in the Hall today.
During his 10 seasons in Seattle, Randy was a key member of the group of players that cemented the Mariners place in the region.
We are equally proud of the work Randy did off the field in Seattle, and note that even after his retirement, he continues to give his time in support of important causes, including his many visits to troops overseas.
Just as we watched with pride as Randy collected a Cy Young (1995), an ERA title (1995), made five All-Star Game appearances (1990, 1993-1995, 1997) and earned four strikeout crowns (1992-1995) in a Mariners uniform, we will watch with pride as Randy is inducted in Cooperstown this summer.
Johnson was acquired by Seattle (from Montreal) on May 25, 1989. He was 130-74 with 2 saves and 2,162 strikeouts in 274 games (266 starts) with the Mariners. He totaled 51 complete games as a Mariner, including 19 shutouts, and tossed 1838.1 innings with Seattle prior to being traded to Houston on July 31, 1998. He is one of eight members of the Mariners Hall of Fame (inducted in 2012 with Dan Wilson).
Here is a full bio of Johnson’s Hall of Fame career:
Hall of Fame Election Today
Be sure to tune into the MLB Network today starting at 9 am PT/11 am ET for exclusive coverage of the 2015 National Baseball Hall of Fame election results. The official announcement for the Hall of Fame Class of 2015 will be announced close to 11 am PT/2 pm ET. Mariners legends Randy Johnson (first time on ballot) and Edgar Martinez (6th time on ballot) are up for election to the Hall of Fame.
2014 Hall of Fame Ballot – #EdgarHOF
Edgar Martinez is on the Hall of Fame ballot for the fifth time.
The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) released the names for the 2014 Hall of Fame ballot today. More than 600 members will vote on the prestigious honor to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
We are of course biased, but this is also the time of year where we want to share the many honors and accolades of our own Edgar Martinez. One of baseball’s best hitters, Edgar is on the 2013-2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ballot for the fifth time. Martinez has earned 36.2 percent of the vote in 2010, 32.9 in 2011, 36.5 in 2012 and 35.9 last year.
Pitchers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Eric Gagne, first baseman-designated hitter Frank Thomas and second baseman Jeff Kent join 17 holdovers (including Edgar) from the 2013 ballot. Writers must return ballots by a Dec. 31 postmark. . The Class of 2014 will be announced Jan. 8. You can watch the announcement live at noon PT on an MLB Network simulcast on MLB.com.
Here is some fun material to browse through to support what we think was a Hall of Fame career for Edgar:
Mariners Game Central – August 10 vs. Milwaukee
The Mariners host the Brewers in the second game of a three-game series tonight at Safeco Field. Prior to the game, a special ceremony will be held inducting Ken Griffey Jr. into the Mariners Hall of Fame.
Here is an information packet we put together on Junior that chronicles his legendary career:
And here is all the information for tonight’s game:
Game #116: Seattle Mariners (53-62) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (50-66) | 6:20 p.m. | Safeco Field
Pitching Match-Ups: RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (10-5, 2.75) vs. LHP Tom Gorzelanny (2-4, 2.78)
Radio: 710 ESPN Seattle and the Mariners Radio Network…also available at Mariners.com (for subscribers to MLB.tv)
TV: The game will be televised in HD on ROOT Sports…also available via MLB.tv (outside Mariners TV territory)
Live Stats: MLB Gameday will provide a live box score with pitch-by-pitch data
Game Information: Mariners | Brewers | Mariners-Brewers History
Mid-Season Report | Game-by-Game Results | 2013 Statistics | Standings | Roster | 2013 Media Guide | 2013 Schedule
Social Media: From the Corner of Edgar & Dave | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Game Notes & Statistics:
A Night at the Museum
Raul Ibañez and his son RJ make up a bed in the Plaque Room at the Baseball Hall of Fame for an Extra Innings Overnight sleepover.
Mariners outfielder Raul Ibañez and his son RJ had a sleep-over at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and they had such a good time that Raul decided to give the Hall a piece of baseball history.
The Museum has an Extra Innings Overnight program where fans can spend the night. Back in November 2011, Raul, RJ and RJ’s youth baseball teammates had a slumber party in the Hall of Fame Plaque Gallery.
The outing was so special that Raul decided to donate the bat he used to make history in the American League Championship Series with the Yankees last fall. You may recall October 10, 2012, when Raul became the first player in history to hit two home runs in the ninth inning or later of a postseason game, giving the Yankees a win over the Orioles.
Raul wanted to share a souvenir of that great night in recognition of the great night he and RJ had at the Hall. Here’s what Raul said about the donation of the historic bat:
“It meant such a great deal to go through the Museum with RJ and tour through the game’s treasures, knowing that the Hall of Fame is where the game’s greatest stories are preserved… Knowing that the bat that I used from the one moment in baseball history is going to be in Cooperstown forever is just so great. I’m honored to have anything of mine attached to the Hall of Fame.”
Raul Ibañez at the “Chasing the Dream” exhibit at the Hall of Fame that tells the story of Henry Aaron’s career.
Felix Has Arrived in Cooperstown
The Seattle Mariners organization, players and staff, has always been very supportive of the National Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
The Hall of Fame (www.baseballhall.org) is a non-profit educational institution dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the historical development of baseball and its impact on our culture by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting its collections for a global audience as well as honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to our national pastime.
Throughout the Mariners franchise 35-year history, donations of memorabilia and other important artifacts have been donated to the Hall of Fame, a practice that continues today.
A package arrived in Cooperstown this morning. Inside were a jersey, a ball and a Mariners cap.
The game-used jersey was worn by Felix Hernandez on August 15 when he tossed the first Perfect Game in franchise history, a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. An interesting Felix preference caused a small shipping delay with the jersey. All Mariners players have two different “weight” white jerseys; a “cool base” mesh jersey, and a slightly heavier traditional knit top. Most guys on the team will wear the two almost interchangeably, although almost everyone wears the “cool base” top for sunny day games.
Felix is an exception. He only wears the traditional, slightly heavier jersey. This meant that even though the top he was wearing in the Perfect Game was pulled aside and stored (unwashed) after his historic game, the Mariners couldn’t ship it to the Hall until a replacement jersey arrived. The new jersey actually arrived in Seattle the same day he was next scheduled to pitch; if it hadn’t arrived, his Perfect Game top would have been washed, and Felix would have worn it out to the mound.
The jersey was a gift to the HOF from Felix. He could have kept it for himself, but he thought it was important that it be in the Hall’s permanent collection.
The package also contained a game-used ball from the Perfect Game, a gift from the Mariners organization.
The final item was the hat worn by Stephen Pryor in the team’s six-pitcher, combined no-hitter vs. the Dodgers on June 8. Pryor was the winning pitcher that day, and when the Hall of Fame requested the hat for its permanent collection, Pryor was happy to make the donation. The only problem was that he had sent his hat to his mother in Tennessee. It took a little time (and a little convincing) before the hat was shipped back to Seattle so it could be sent on to the Hall of Fame.
– TH
Mariners Hall of Fame, Pinterest
Are you following the Mariners on Pinterest?
The Mariners have 26 Boards including one for the Mariners Hall of Fame. It’s got great shots of Dan Wilson and Randy Johnson in their playing prime and in the community. Good times.
As long as you’re there, check out the other Board such as Fan Favorites (Cammy, Griffey, Gar, Joey), Bucket List, Hair (great moments in hair styles over the years), Safeco Field Eats (Mmmm, BBQ beef brisket sandwich), etc. There are even Boards for King’s Court members and fans to post their Safeco Field photos.
You know what Pinterest is, right? That site with all those photos of food you shouldn’t eat with recipes you’ll never prepare anyway, vacation destinations you won’t go to, tiny dresses and skinny jeans that would look terrible on you, DIY projects you don’t have the skills or the tools for. But hey, there’s that tutorial on how to fold a fitted sheet.
But seriously, if you want to connect with the Mariners across all the forms of Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Tumblr, etc.) for information about the Hall of Fame induction, or any Mariners news, check out Mariners.com/Connect.
Battery mates and soon to be Mariners Hall of Famers Randy Johnson and Dan Wilson celebrate as the Mariners clinch the AL West in 1995
– RH
Dan Wilson, Randy Johnson “Hall-Worthy”
Two new members will be inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame this summer – Dan Wilson, one of the best defensive catchers in MLB, and Randy Johnson, one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball.
Dan and Randy’s exploits with the Mariners are well-known – the records, the memorable moments… those are etched in our minds. But do you recall their early days?
Randy Johnson came to the Mariners in May 1989 in a trade that sent Mark Langston and a player to be named later (Mike Campbell) to the Montreal Expos. In exchange, the Mariners got Gene Harris, Brian Holman and Randy. At the time, Randy was actually the “third” man. Gene Harris was seen as the prize. Of course, Harris was traded by the Mariners three years later to the Padres. He had stops in Detroit, Philadelphia and Baltimore before ending his seven-year career 12-18 with a 4.71 ERA and 26 saves.
Dan Wilson and Randy Johnson celebrate as the Mariners clinch their first trip to the postseason with a 9-1 win over the Angels during a one-game playoff on October 2, 1995 at the Kingdome.
Brian Holman played with the Mariners until 1991, memorably coming within one strike of a perfect game against the Oakland A’s on April 20, 1990.
Dan Wilson came to the Mariners after the 1993 season in a trade with the Reds for second baseman Bret Boone. When he heard that the Mariners had acquired Wilson, former Mariners catcher Scott Bradley, who had played briefly with Dan when they were both in the Reds system in 1992, called Joe Chard, then Mariners director of Community Relations (now VP of Corporate Business and Community Relations), to heap praise on Wilson. Bradley said Dan was going to be a great player, and he was an even better man. And as great as he thought Dan was, Bradley said Dan’s wife Annie was even better.
Almost 20-years later, Mariners fans now know just what Scott Bradley was talking about. Dan was a great player, and he and Annie have made a strong and lasting impact on this community through their work over the years for such organizations as First Place, a school for homeless children.
While at the Mariners, Randy Johnson co-chaired the annual Mariners Care Cystic Fibrosis Charity Golf Tournament, with Jay Buhner, which has raised over $4.5 million for CF research since 1986.
Dan Wilson and Randy Johnson join the current Mariners Hall of Famers Alvin Davis Davis (1997), Dave Niehaus (2000), Jay Buhner (2004) and Edgar Martinez (2007).
Mariners legend Jay Buhner had this to say about his former teammates and fellow Hall of Famers:
“It’s great to have two more Seattle icons join the Mariners Hall of Fame. Their performances and accolades on the field speak for themselves but it’s the continued work off the field that is most impressive. They both understand the importance of giving back to their communities and to those in need and less fortunate. I welcome both of them to the Mariners Hall of Fame. This brings back so many great memories.”
Four Sixths of the Mariners Hall of Fame, with Jay Buhner, Dan Wilson, Randy Johnson, Edgar Martinez, Ken Griffey Jr., on Opening Night 2010.
Here is the official news release:
SEATTLE, Wash. (Jan. 17, 2012) — One of the best defensive catchers and one of the most dominant pitchers in the history of Major League Baseball will be inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame this year. Dan Wilson and Randy Johnson will become the fifth and sixth members of the Mariners Hall of Fame when they are inducted during a ceremony on Saturday, July 28, 2012, prior to the Mariners vs. Kansas City Royals game.
Dan Wilson played 12 of his 14 Major League seasons for the Mariners (1994-2005). Wilson, who played more games as a catcher than any other player in Mariners history (1,281), is ranked among the Top 10 in a bevy of Mariners offensive categories including:
- Games played (1,251, 5th),
- Hits (1,071, 6th),
- Extra base hits (308, 9th),
- Total bases (1,568, 8th),
- Doubles (207, 6th),
- RBI (508, 9th),
- At-bats (4,085, 7th),
- Runs (433, 10th).
Wilson represented the Mariners on the 1996 American League All-Star team. He owns the Mariners career records for home runs by a catcher (including two inside-the-park home runs), and the Club’s single season records for catchers in RBI (83, 1996), and is tied with Miguel Olivo (2011) for home runs (18, 1996). Wilson ended his career with a .995 fielding percentage, at the time the highest for any catcher in American League history, and the sixth highest in Major League history. He is currently tied for first among A.L. catchers with Joe Mauer and A.J.Pierzinski.
Randy Johnson had a 22-year Major League career, playing for six teams including 1989-1998 for the Mariners. He also played for the Montreal Expos (1988-89), Houston Astros (1998), Arizona Diamondbacks (1999-2004, 2007-08), New York Yankees (2005-06) and San Francisco Giants (2009).
Johnson had one of the most dominant fastballs in the game and regularly hit 100+ mph in his prime. He won five Cy Young Awards (1995, 1999-2002), including the first by a Mariners pitcher when he went 18-2 with a 2.48 ERA in 1995. Johnson pitched two no-hitters—June 2, 1990 vs. DET and MLB’s 17th perfect game on May 18, 2004.
Johnson came to Seattle in 1989 in a trade with the Montreal Expos. He had his breakout season in 1993 when he went 19-8 with 3.24 ERA and the first of his six 300+ strikeout seasons. Johnson was instrumental in the team’s first-ever trip to the postseason in 1995 when the Mariners staged an improbable late-season charge making up a 13-and-a-half game deficit. The Mariners finished the season tied with the Anaheim Angels, which forced a one-game playoff on October 2 at the Kingdome. The Mariners beat the Angels 9-1behind Johnson’s 12 strikeout, three-hit, complete game.
After the Mariners lost the first two games of the American League Division Series to the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, Johnson started Game 3 at the Kingdome and won 7-4. In Game 5, on one day’s rest, Johnson memorably strode in from the bullpen for a relief appearance. He pitched the 9th, 10th and 11th innings, giving up one run with six strikeouts. Johnson held off the Yankees for the comeback capped by Edgar Martinez’s double that scored the winning run. The Mariners won 6-5 in 11 innings, and went on to the team’s first-ever appearance in the American League Championship Series.
Randy Johnson retired after the 2009 season with a career win-loss record of 303-166, ERA of 3.29 and 4,875 strikeouts, second only to Nolan Ryan’s 5,714. In addition to his 10 trips to the All-Star Game (1990, 1993-95, 1997, 1999, 2001-02) and five Cy Young Awards (1995, 1999-2002), Johnson led the league in ERA four times (1995, 1999, 2001, 2002) and strikeouts nine times (1992-1995, 1999-2002, 2004). He was 2001 World Series co-MVP with Curt Schilling, and during his career, Johnson defeated every Major League team at least once.
The four current members of the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame are Alvin Davis (1997), Dave Niehaus (2000), Jay Buhner (2004) and Edgar Martinez (2007). The Hall of Fame was created to honor the players, staff and other individuals that greatly contributed to the history of the Mariners franchise.
– RH
From the Corner of Edgar & Dave 