Opening Day 2010 (from left to right) Jay Buhner, Dan Wilson, Randy Johnson, Edgar Martinez, Ken Griffey Jr (photo by Dave Sizer, via Flickr).
Baseball fans love to debate. For years, finding an All-Time Seattle Mariners roster has been discussed around hot stoves, school yards, and bars. We asked the artificial intelligence engine, ChatGPT, to pick its best 26-man M’s roster.
All responses are from ChatGPT. The only thing we changed was a few stat errors.
The best Seattle Mariners manager of all time is widely considered to be Lou Piniella. Piniella managed the Mariners from 1993 to 2002 and had great success during his tenure. Under Piniella’s leadership, the Mariners made their first-ever postseason appearance in 1995, winning the American League West division. They also had successful seasons in 2000 and 2001, winning a record-setting 116 games in the latter year.
Piniella’s energetic and passionate style of managing resonated with the team and the fans. He was known for his fiery personality and his ability to motivate and get the best out of his players. Piniella’s managerial record with the Mariners stands at 840 wins and 711 losses, giving him the most wins in franchise history.
Piniella’s impact on the Mariners organization and his success in leading the team to new heights make him widely regarded as the best manager in Seattle Mariners history.
Creating the “best” Seattle Mariners all-time lineup is subjective and can vary depending on personal preferences. However, here’s a suggested lineup that includes some of the most notable and accomplished players in Mariners history:
Ichiro Suzuki (RF)
Career average: .321, Hits: 2,542 Stolen Bases: 438 (2001-2012, 2018).
Known for his incredible speed, hitting prowess, and defensive skills.
Edgar Martinez (DH)
.312/309/1,261 (1987-2004).
A legendary designated hitter and one of the best hitters in Mariners history.
Ken Griffey Jr. (CF)
.292/417/1,216 (1989-1999, 2009-2010).
Fan-favorite and one of the most talented players to wear a Mariners uniform.
Alex Rodriguez (SS)
.309/189/595 (1994-2000).
A dynamic shortstop with exceptional offensive capabilities during his time with the Mariners.
Jay Buhner (LF)
.255/307/951 (1988-2001).
A powerful hitter and fan-favorite known for his home runs and strong arm.
Kyle Seager (3B)
.256/242/807 (2011-2020).
A consistent performer and one of the best third basemen in Mariners history.
Alvin Davis (1B)
.280/160/667 (1984-1991).
The Mariners’ first-ever Rookie of the Year and a solid first baseman throughout his career.
Dan Wilson (C)
.262/88/508 (1994-2005).
A dependable and skilled catcher known for his defensive prowess and handling of pitchers.
Robinson Canó (2B)
.296/107/411 (2014-2018).
A former Mariners player who brought a combination of power and finesse to the second base position.
Nelson Cruz (OF/DH)
Career average: .284, Home Runs: 163, RBIs: 414 (2015-2018).
Bret Boone (2B)
.277/143/535 (1992-1993, 2001-2005).
Omar Vizquel (SS)
.252/6/139, Stolen Bases: 39 (1989-1993).
Harold Reynolds (2B)
.260/17/295/228 (1983-1992).
Dave Valle (C)
.235/72/318 (1984-1993).
Raul Ibañez (OF/1B)
.279/156/612 (1996-2000, 2004-2008, 2013).
Unfortunately, Chat GPT didn’t go into more depth on the Seattle Mariners substitutes.
Career ERA: 3.42, Wins: 169, Strikeouts: 2,524 (2005-2019)
Known as “King Felix,” Hernández is one of the greatest pitchers in Mariners history. He won the AL Cy Young Award in 2010 and holds numerous franchise records.
3.42/130/2,162 (1989-1998)
Johnson had a dominant tenure with the Mariners, earning five All-Star selections and winning the AL Cy Young Award in 1995. He possessed a blazing fastball and recorded a significant number of strikeouts.
4.07/145/1,239 (1996-2006)
Moyer spent the majority of his career with the Mariners and was known for his longevity and craftiness. He won 145 games with the Mariners and provided stability in the rotation.
3.65/74/1,140 (1984-1989)
Langston was an integral part of the Mariners’ pitching staff in the late 1980s. He was a strikeout artist and recorded impressive numbers during his time in Seattle.
3.42/63/734 (2012-2017)
Iwakuma may not have had the longest tenure with the Mariners, but he made a significant impact. He was an All-Star in 2013 and threw a no-hitter in 2015.
Kazuhiro Sasaki (Closer)
Career ERA: 3.14, Saves: 129, Strikeouts: 254 (2000-2003)
Sasaki was the Mariners’ closer from 2000 to 2003 and recorded 129 saves during his tenure. He was an All-Star and won the AL Rookie of the Year in 2000.
J.J. Putz (Setup)
3.08/101/337 (2003-2008)
Putz had a dominant stretch as the Mariners’ closer from 2006 to 2008. He earned an All-Star selection in 2007 and recorded 101 saves during his time with the team.
Arthur Rhodes (Reliever)
3.05/9/315 (2000-2003, 2008-2009)
Rhodes was an effective left-handed reliever for the Mariners. He had multiple stints with the team and compiled impressive numbers, including a 1.72 ERA in 2001.
Jeff Nelson (Reliever)
3.26/23/471 (1992-1995, 2001-2003)
Nelson was a key setup man during the Mariners’ successful run in the 1990s. He provided a reliable bridge to the closer and contributed to the team’s strong bullpen.
Norm Charlton (Reliever)
4.03/67/282 (1993, 1995-1997, 2001)
Charlton, also known as “The Sheriff,” was a crucial part of the Mariners’ bullpen during their historic 1995 season. He played a pivotal role in the team’s playoff run.
Edwin Díaz (Reliever)
2.64/130/301 (2016-2018)
Although Díaz had a relatively short stint with the Mariners, his performance in the 2018 season was exceptional. He set the franchise record with 57 saves and was named an All-Star.
At the end of ChatGPT’s roster, it gave the following disclaimer :
Note: This roster features a mix of Mariners greats from different eras. The starting lineup consists of talented and impactful players across the field. The substitutes provide versatility and depth, with additional outfield, infield, and catching options.
The starting rotation includes some of the most dominant pitchers in Mariners history. The bullpen features a combination of closers, setup men, and reliable relievers. This roster is subject to personal preferences, and there are many deserving players who could also be included.
ChatGPT doesn’t get everything right. We mentioned that sometimes it confused a player’s Seattle Mariners stats with his career stats.
Even the AI said there were many deserving players. So there is room for debate.
In my opinion, ChatGPT was pretty darn close. I would make the following minor changes to the Seattle Mariners All-Time Team:
Who is on your all-time Seattle Mariners roster?