Founding and Early Years
The Seattle Mariners were established in 1977 as an expansion team, joining Major League Baseball at the same time as the Toronto Blue Jays. The team began play in the American League and started at the Kingdome, a domed baseball stadium in downtown Seattle. The Mariners struggled in their early years, finishing with losing records throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Rise to Prominence in the 1990s
The Mariners began improving in the early 1990s and achieved a major milestone in 1995 when they won the American League West division, ending a 14-year playoff drought. That year, the team reached the American League Championship Series with stars like Ken Griffey Jr. leading the way. This success helped establish baseball as an important part of Seattle sports culture.
2001 Season and Record-Breaking Performance
The Mariners reached their peak in 2001 when they won 116 regular season games, setting an American League record at that time. The team featured outstanding players including Ichiro Suzuki, who won the Rookie of the Year award that season. Despite their regular season success, the Mariners lost in the American League Championship Series to the New York Yankees.
Stadium Changes and Recent History
In 1999, the Mariners moved from the Kingdome to T-Mobile Park (originally called Safeco Field), a new stadium with a retractable roof located in the SODO neighborhood of Seattle. Since the early 2000s, the team has experienced ups and downs, with several rebuilding periods but has remained a major part of the Seattle community. 
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