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Tales from the Seattle Mariners
Reliever Bill Caudill handcuffed unsuspecting victims--including the team owner's wife--to the dugout bench. Larry Andersen, Richie Zisk, and Joe Simpson made sure that everywhere bewildered manager Rene Lachemann went during the 1982 season, some JELL-O was sure to follow-- from his hotel bathroom sink, tub, and toilet (filled to the brim) to a postgame can of beer. Jay Buhner, one of the stars in the Seattle Mariners' 1995 "Refuse to Lose" season, maintained the team's proud, prank-filled history well into the '90s with his "blurping"--vomiting on command.
It's a good thing Mariners players had a sense of humor, because for many years the play on the field wasn't going to keep one's spirits high. The franchise shot out of the gates with a noticeable limp, losing a combined 202 games over their first two seasons. Twelve consecutive losing campaigns later, they finally posted a winning record in 1991. Four years later, they won their first division title and then their first playoff series, thanks to Edgar Martinez's unforgettable two-run double to clinch the '95 American League Division Series against the Yankees.
The team's losing ways quickly became a thing of the past, as the play on the field overshadowed the need to make light of it off the field. The pinnacle of the Mariners franchise occurred in 2001, when Seattle won a record-tying 116 games and seemed unstoppable--until they arrived in New York for a playoff series against the Yankees and saw first-hand the devastation of the September 11 terrorist attacks. According to some on that team, the Mariners lost their competitive edge, and then the series.
Tales from the Seattle Mariners Dugout chronicles Seattle's rise from a hopeless and hapless franchise in the 1970s and '80s to a proud team in the 1990s that went on to capture three division championships and earn four playoff appearances. It's a must-read walk down memory lane for every fan of the team.
It's a good thing Mariners players had a sense of humor, because for many years the play on the field wasn't going to keep one's spirits high. The franchise shot out of the gates with a noticeable limp, losing a combined 202 games over their first two seasons. Twelve consecutive losing campaigns later, they finally posted a winning record in 1991. Four years later, they won their first division title and then their first playoff series, thanks to Edgar Martinez's unforgettable two-run double to clinch the '95 American League Division Series against the Yankees.
The team's losing ways quickly became a thing of the past, as the play on the field overshadowed the need to make light of it off the field. The pinnacle of the Mariners franchise occurred in 2001, when Seattle won a record-tying 116 games and seemed unstoppable--until they arrived in New York for a playoff series against the Yankees and saw first-hand the devastation of the September 11 terrorist attacks. According to some on that team, the Mariners lost their competitive edge, and then the series.
Tales from the Seattle Mariners Dugout chronicles Seattle's rise from a hopeless and hapless franchise in the 1970s and '80s to a proud team in the 1990s that went on to capture three division championships and earn four playoff appearances. It's a must-read walk down memory lane for every fan of the team.
- GenresSportsNonfiction
188 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 26, 2019
Fun and depressing read. I grew up in the 90s and the glory years of Mariners baseball so I loved getting to relive some of the memories and hear details I never knew about. On the flip side, it's hard knowing that no one is ever going to write about the last 10 years+ of Mariners baseball. Who wants to read about Chon Figgins, Russell Branyan and Milton Bradley?
That said, would definitely recommend this read if you are a Mariners fan. You will likely learn a lot of fun, inside information.
That said, would definitely recommend this read if you are a Mariners fan. You will likely learn a lot of fun, inside information.
February 11, 2015
This is a great overview of the history of the Seattle Mariners, from the original players, managers, and stadium to the 2007 players, manager, and stadium. It has anecdotes, gossip, touching stories, history, memorable plays, and photos -- everything you'd want in a history of your team (but it could have been longer -- I totally devoured this thing, so it would have been even better if it had been more in-depth).
The only thing that bothered me was that it has a second copyright date of 2014, and one update (that Dave Neihaus passed away in 2010), yet it didn't update other facts/storylines that could have been updated. The one that seemed the most obvious to me was in the chapter about Ken Griffey, Jr. Arnold says toward the end of the chapter, "There's little doubt that if he would come back, even as an opposing player, Seattle fans would welcome Griffey warmly." Well, Book That Was Updated In 2014, I have news for you: Griffey *did* come back as an opposing player, in 2007, and we *did* welcome him back, with the standing ovation that Mike Blowers predicts in his interview. But that wasn't included, even in this updated version of the book? Huh? And what's more, Griffey's return *as a Mariner* in 2009 also wasn't included in an update or note. Wha?!? (And after a little Twitter conversation with the author, I've learned it's because the book was re-released in 2014 without input from him. Okay, I no longer blame him for leaving out the Griffey update.)
Other than that, fabulous book!
The only thing that bothered me was that it has a second copyright date of 2014, and one update (that Dave Neihaus passed away in 2010), yet it didn't update other facts/storylines that could have been updated. The one that seemed the most obvious to me was in the chapter about Ken Griffey, Jr. Arnold says toward the end of the chapter, "There's little doubt that if he would come back, even as an opposing player, Seattle fans would welcome Griffey warmly." Well, Book That Was Updated In 2014, I have news for you: Griffey *did* come back as an opposing player, in 2007, and we *did* welcome him back, with the standing ovation that Mike Blowers predicts in his interview. But that wasn't included, even in this updated version of the book? Huh? And what's more, Griffey's return *as a Mariner* in 2009 also wasn't included in an update or note. Wha?!? (And after a little Twitter conversation with the author, I've learned it's because the book was re-released in 2014 without input from him. Okay, I no longer blame him for leaving out the Griffey update.)
Other than that, fabulous book!
March 29, 2016
This is a must read for Mariners fans. Kirby Arnold was a beat writer for years and he GETS the Mariners and the fans and the sadness and the love.
March 28, 2018
Had a flavor of "this one time... at band camp..."
Editing could use some work as there are repetitive explanations of who the people are, especially the coaches. Maybe that's a picky comment but it was distracting. Tell us once who Lee Elia is, then just use his name when you mention him after that. Trust the reader to be at least that intelligent.
That said, the stories themselves never get old. Well OK the stories are old, but still good. The book helps to define the legacy and the identity of the team, even if it's a legacy of frustration and an identity of losing that still hasn't changed ten years after the book was written.
Billy Mac's "My Oh My - the Dave Niehaus Story" is a way better look at the history of the team as it's tied to a Hall of Famer.
Editing could use some work as there are repetitive explanations of who the people are, especially the coaches. Maybe that's a picky comment but it was distracting. Tell us once who Lee Elia is, then just use his name when you mention him after that. Trust the reader to be at least that intelligent.
That said, the stories themselves never get old. Well OK the stories are old, but still good. The book helps to define the legacy and the identity of the team, even if it's a legacy of frustration and an identity of losing that still hasn't changed ten years after the book was written.
Billy Mac's "My Oh My - the Dave Niehaus Story" is a way better look at the history of the team as it's tied to a Hall of Famer.
July 23, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this! It brought back so many memories from '95, '97, and '01, as well as gave me new insight into the early years of the Mariners. Would have been nice if the publishers had worked with the author to update the book with its 2014 re-release, but I'm glad to know that was through no fault of the author. An enjoyable read for any Mariners fan.
November 6, 2022
More of a standard history, rather than a "collection of . . . stores" about the Seattle Mariners. This focuses more on the highlights, with a few references to the many "lowlights" which are in the majority of the reality for us Mariner fans.
where's Lenny Randle, Gorman Thomas, etc.?
where's Lenny Randle, Gorman Thomas, etc.?
March 18, 2024
I enjoyed learning about the Mariners baseball team from this book. It was good to read!
February 19, 2024
Fire book🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
November 9, 2007
This short book is a puff piece for the Mariners organization and retells a few well-worn stories while assuring readers that the Mariners organization (owners) really do love baseball, and you should support the Mariners because they have been playing in Seattle for thirty years now. Not worth reading.
January 17, 2022
Good book
Any Seattle Mariners fan would like this book. In fact, any Seattle sports fan would like this book. Lots of interesting little facts throughout the book
Any Seattle Mariners fan would like this book. In fact, any Seattle sports fan would like this book. Lots of interesting little facts throughout the book
June 9, 2020
Fun read for fans of the Seattle Mariners - others probably won't find it much interesting. Considering I grew up an avid fan since I can remember, I really enjoyed this :)
April 21, 2017
I read some books to my son in the morning - the second tier. This fit that category exactly. And with youtube to watch moments like the 95 series against the yankees - Brought me right back to loving the M's.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews