Seattle Sports 101: the '95 Mariner Leftovers

• In his third season with the Mariners and after a bad '94 campaign (49-63 record), Lou Piniella was as valuable as any of his players on the baseball diamond, and maybe the most valuable piece during the whole '95 season. He ended up winning A.L. manager of the year...
  

• Besides that memorable double, Edgar Martinez had a career year, winning a Silver Slugger and making the All-Star team. People forget that he finished third in AL MVP voting that year behind Mo Vaughn and Albert Belle. He was also the batting champ, with an Ichiro-esque .356 batting average.

• And Tino Martinez! Along with Edgar, Tino formed a formidble offense even without Griffey. Try imagining a lineup that went Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, and then Alex Rodriguez. That's what Tino, Edgar, and Griffey were. 1995 was Tino's first breakout year, with 31 HR and 111 RBI.
  

• Jay Buhner- This guy had a monster year in '95. His season totals came out like this: .262, 40 HR, and 121 RBI.
  

• "The sheriff", Norm Charlton was released by the Phillies on July 10th, 1995 in mid-season, and then signed as a free agent with the M's four days later on July 14th. He ended up taking up the closer role, compiling 14 saves with a 1.51 era
  

• Some under-appreciated players include the likes of Dan Wilson, Doug Strange, Luis Sojo,  Chris Bosio, Jeff Nelson, Mike Blowers, Rich Amaral, Bobby Ayala, Alex Diaz, and Felix Fermine.
  

• It'd be a crime not to mention the second most memorable image of the '95 season. Joey Cora crying and being comforted by A-Rod on the bench after the season-ending loss to the Cleveland Indians...
  

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