My Top Five Seattle Mariner Moments

This is a count down of the most memorable and special Seattle Mariners moments for me.

I've been a diehard Mariners fan since I was old enough to really enjoy watching baseball. The M's will always be special to me, and I'll always support them—I could never be a true fan of any other team.

I've loved them even when they've sucked, but I've especially loved them when they've been great, and of course, memorable.

Now keep in mind, I'm only 17 years old, and these are only moments that I can remember (or else, how could they be special to me?), so this is only going to include '98 on or so, with maybe one exception.

5. The 2001 Season

2001 was an amazing year to be a Mariners fan. The M's earned their place in the record books, setting the record for the most wins in American League history, and tying the 1906 Chicago Cubs for the most wins in a single season in the history of baseball.

Fittingly, Safeco Field was the host for the all star game that year, in which we had eight representatives.

Our old friend Jamie Moyer had his first 20 win season, Bret Boone had a career year, blasting 37 home runs and driving in 141, and Ichiro made a splash in his rookie year, earning the MVP award and the Rookie of the Year award.

I was only nine years old in 2001, and although I was already a fan, I do wish that I had been old enough to truly appreciate what was happening in Seattle that year—it was something special.

4. Ichiro Breaks the Hit Record

With his 258th hit in the 2004 season, Ichiro passed George Sisler and set the mark for the most hits ever recorded in a single season.

He's had a lot of great moments, but there's no denying that this was the most spectacular. The Mariners did not have a good year, but the spectacular thing that the Mariners and their fans got to a part of that season somehow made that seem less important.

I'm not sure how long his record will stand, but as of right now there's no one in baseball that I can imagine breaking it.

3. 2001 ALDS Game Three - The Bunt

This play didn't save baseball in Seattle, nor did it cap off a record setting season, but it was special to me.

The 2000 ALDS was really my first taste of the playoffs as a Mariners fan, I was three years old in '95 and not nearly old enough to appreciate that.

When Carlos Guillen laid down that perfect squeeze bunt to finish off the sweep of the Chicago White Sox, I remember jumping off of the couch and cheering.

I remember seeing Rickey Henderson jog across home plate, and the entire Seattle ball club pouring out of the dugout to embrace him.

The 2000 playoffs are what really got me started as an avid Mariners fan, it gave me a whole new enthusiasm for watching baseball.

2. Mariners Clinch the AL West, 2001

My No. 5 was the entire 2001 season, but this specific win was special in itself. All of the emotions of the entire year basically came together all at once, in a big burst of happiness.

The nation was still in shock from the 9/11 attacks on Sept. 19, 2001, and the image of the Mariners holding up the American flag after beating the Angels was very touching.

I'm sure the Mariners will go to the playoffs again, probably many more times, but I can't imagine any other single season being quite as memorable to me as the year 2001.

There really isn't all that much else to say here, the picture basically says it all.

1. 1995 ALDS Game Five - The Double

It doesn't matter how old I was in 1995—there's no other moment that could be at the top of this list.

This game may not have been special to me in the sense that I remember watching it, but it is special to me in the sense that it made all of those other moments possible.

The only sight that compares to Edgar's sweet swing on that perfectly timed double, was the sight of Ken Griffey Jr's smiling face, looking up at the camera after he scored.

I don't think there's a single Mariners fan that doesn't hold this moment dear—I wasn't even a baseball fan yet when it happened, but I still get a tingly feeling and goosebumps whenever I even think about it.

Even after hearing it hundreds of times, I still get shivers every time I hear: "HERE IS JUNIOR TO THIRD BASE, THEY'RE GOING TO WAVE HIM IN! THE THROW TO THE PLATE WILL BE ... LATE! THE MARINERS ARE GOING TO PLAY FOR THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP! I DON'T BELIEVE IT! IT JUST CONTINUES! MY, OH MY!"