Illustrious History of the Seattle Mariners Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The Mariners play their first game!

The Mariners lost to the California Angels, 7-0, on April 6, 1977. Dave Niehaus, inducted into the broadcaster wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008 announced that first game. Rarely missing a game, Dave died shortly after his 34th season in 2010.

2. Mariners third baseman Lenny Randle appears on everybody's highlight reel when he successfully blows Amos Otis's slow roller foul.

This crazy play happened on May 27. The umpires decided that Randle's manuever was against the rules and awarded Otis first base.
[the slow-moving ball was trickling near the foul line ... Randle got down on his hands and knees to blow the over the foul line].

3. Gaylord Perry wins his 300th game.

That's right, Gaylord Perry pitched for the Mariners near the end of his career. (His nickname was the "Ancient Mariner.") Known for his spitball, Perry was the first pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in each league. His 300th win came on May 6, 1982 at the age of 43.

4. Alvin Davis wins American League Rookie of the Year.

Nicknamed Mr. Mariner, Alvin had a tremendous season in 1984--hitting 27 home runs and 116 RBIs. He played with the Mariners through the 1991 season before heading to the Angels for his final year.

5. Ken Griffey Jr., and his dad, Ken Griffey Sr., hit back-to-back homers in a game.

When Ken Griffey Sr., was signed by the Mariners in 1990 (a year after Junior's rookie season), it was the first time a father and son were on the active roster of a major league roster. They not only played side by side in the outfield, but Junior followed his dad's homer with one of his own on September 14.

6. The Double. Edgar Martinez's double in the 11th inning wins game 5 of the American League Division Series.

On October 8, Edgar hit a double to left to score two runs and beat the Yankees 6-5. Ken Griffey, Jr. made the dramatic run from first base to score the walk-off run. Unfortunately for the Mariners, they were unable to continue their run and lost to the Cleveland Indians in the following American League Championship series.

7. After 22 years in the Kingdome, the Mariners play their first game in Safeco Field.

Now known as T-Mobile Park, the stadium's debut was on July 15, 1999. The Kingdome was blown up on March 26 in the following year.

8. The Mariners win 116 games and tie the modern-era major league record.

They tied the 1906 Chicago Cubs. Granted, the won their 116 games in the longer 116-game season (compared to 154 for the Cubs). However, their record stands alone among American League teams.

9. Ichiro Suziki breaks George Sisler's record for most base hits in a season.

Sisler had 257 in 1920, but, 84 years later, Ichiro finished with 262. Ichiro had 3,089 hits in his Major League career--and another 1,278 from his previous seasons in the Japanese big leagues.

10. Felix Hernandez throws a perfect game.

Felix's perfecto on August 15 at Safeco Field was the 23rd perfect game in Major League history.

Source: Author daveguth

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What's the Correct Order?	Choices
1. (1977)	Ichiro Suziki breaks George Sisler's record for most base hits in a season.
2. (1981)	Alvin Davis wins American League Rookie of the Year.
3. (1982)	Gaylord Perry wins his 300th game.
4. (1984)	The Double. Edgar Martinez's double in the 11th inning wins game 5 of the American League Division Series.
5. (1990)	After 22 years in the Kingdome, the Mariners play their first game in Safeco Field.
6. (1995)	The Mariners win 116 games and tie the modern-era major league record.
7. (1999)	Mariners third baseman Lenny Randle appears on everybody's highlight reel when he successfully blows Amos Otis's slow roller foul.
8. (2001)	Ken Griffey Jr., and his dad, Ken Griffey Sr., hit back-to-back homers in a game.
9. (2004)	Felix Hernandez throws a perfect game.
10. (2012)	The Mariners play their first game!

Place these momentous moments in Seattle Mariners history in the correct chronological order.