The Seattle Mariners' 2001 season was the 25th since the franchise's inception. They finished with a 116-46 record (.71605 win %), tying the major league record for wins in the modern era since 1901, set by the 1906 Chicago Cubs, and setting the record for wins by an American League team. From a winning percentage record, it would only be surpassed in modern baseball by the 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers, who finished 43-17 (.71667) in a pandemic-shortened season.
Of the 116 wins, 59 were by four or more runs, setting a record that was later broken by the 2022 and 2023 Los Angeles Dodgers, each with 60 such wins. They also led the majors in both runs scored and fewest runs allowed. The 2001 Mariners hold the record for the most Wins Above Replacement (WAR) by a team in a season in MLB history, with 50.4. Even the 1927 New York Yankees, often considered the greatest team of all time due to their elite "Murderers’ Row" lineup, fell short of the Mariners; they recorded 48.7 WAR, 1.7 less than the Mariners, the second-highest single-season total in MLB history.
The 2001 season was also notable for the Major League debut of star Japanese outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who led the league in batting average and won both the AL Rookie of the Year and the AL MVP awards. Additionally, the Mariners hosted their second All-Star Game during the season.
Winning the American League West, the 2001 season marked the first (and to date, only) time the Mariners reached the postseason in consecutive seasons. The team defeated the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS in five games, but fell to the New York Yankees in five games in the ALCS. They became the first team in MLB history to win 110 or more regular season games and fail to reach the World Series. They would later be joined in this regard by the 2022 Los Angeles Dodgers.
Despite the record-setting win total, the Mariners would not reach the postseason again until 2022, which was the longest active drought in the four major North American sports.
Offseason
- November 7, 2000: Scott Podsednik was signed as a free agent with the Seattle Mariners.
- November 18, 2000: Ichiro Suzuki was signed as a free agent with the Seattle Mariners.
- December 22, 2000: Bret Boone was signed as a free agent with the Seattle Mariners.
Regular season
Roster
Season standings
Detailed records
Record vs. opponents
Game log
All-Star Game
The Mariners hosted the 2001 Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 10, 2001 at Safeco Field. It was the second time the Mariners hosted the Midsummer Classic, and the first at Safeco Field. Eight Mariners were in the game, including four in the starting lineup. The game resulted in the American League defeating the National League by the final score of 4–1. This would be the final All-Star Game for Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn.
Player stats
Batting
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases
Pitching
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; SVO = Save opportunities; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Postseason
Game log
Postseason rosters
Awards and records
- Bret Boone, Most RBIs in one season by an American League Second Baseman (141)
- Ichiro Suzuki, American League Most Valuable Player
- Ichiro Suzuki, American League Rookie of the Year
- Ichiro Suzuki, American League Batting Champion
- Ichiro Suzuki, American League Stolen Base Leader
- Freddy García, American League ERA Leader
- Lou Piniella, Manager of the Year
All-Star Game
- John Olerud, first base, starter
- Bret Boone, second base, starter
- Ichiro Suzuki, outfield, starter
- Edgar Martínez, designated hitter, starter
- Mike Cameron, outfield, reserve
- Freddy García, pitcher, reserve
- Jeff Nelson, pitcher, reserve
- Kazuhiro Sasaki, pitcher, reserve
Farm system
LEAGUE CO-CHAMPIONS: Tacoma
Major League Baseball draft
The following is a list of 2001 Seattle Mariners draft picks. The Mariners took part in the June regular draft, also known as the Rule 4 draft. The Mariners made 52 selections in the 2001 draft, the first being shortstop Michael Garciaparra in the first round. In all, the Mariners selected 23 pitchers, 13 outfielders, 7 catchers, 5 shortstops, 2 third basemen, 1 first baseman, and 1 second baseman.
Draft
Key
Table
References
External links
- 2001 Seattle Mariners at Baseball Reference
- 2001 Seattle Mariners at Baseball Almanac
- 2001 Seattle Mariners at Retrosheet
- "How the 2001 Mariners went from 116 wins to a historic drought in an instant". SB Nation. April 25, 2019. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube.
