Seattle Mariners: 10 Slowest Starts in Team History and How They Finished

It's no secret that the Seattle Mariners are struggling to start the season, but how does this year's slow start compare to others in history?

Similarly, how did those slow teams finish the year? Does history provide any hope for the 2011 M's?

I've attempted to answer these questions and more by looking at the worst 15 and 30-game starts ever for Seattle.

10) 1986

First 15: 6-9

First 30: 10-20, .333 winning percentage

There were actually eight other seasons in which the Mariners won six of their first 15, but of those, they had by far their worst 30-game start in 1986.

They had a nice finish to the season, going 28-29 in the last two months to avoid a 100-loss season. 

How they finished: 67-95, .414 winning percentage

9) 1989

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

1989: Ken Griffey Jr. of the Seattle Mariners swings to hit the ball during a game. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

First 15: 5-10

First 30: 15-15, .500

This Mariners squad may have started slow, but they had a lot of young, future stars on it. Ken Griffey Jr. and Omar Vizquel both made their major league debuts, Jay Buhner and Edgar Martinez were coming off the bench, and Randy Johnson was acquired via trade mid-season. Add in Alvin Davis, Harold Reynolds and Dave Valle and this team had tons of talent.

Besides a bad August that saw them go 9-20, they basically played .500 baseball the rest of the year. 

Finished: 73-89, .451 

8) 1990

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - 1990: Edgar Martinez #11 of the Seattle Mariners focuses on home plate as he prepares for a play during a game against the Oakland Athletics in 1990 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty

First 15: 5-10

First 30: 14-16, .467

With all of the same young guns as the last year, the Mariners started off slow once again. They were being led by a bunch of players in their young twenties, so slow starts make a little more sense in hindsight.

They brought it together to get up to third in the division (out of seven) before again faltering in August.

Finished: 77-85, .475 

7) 1998

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

DENVER - JULY 6: Alex Rodriguez #3 of the American League and Seattle Mariners bats during the 1998 MLB All-Star Game Home Run Derby at Coors Field on July 6, 1998 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

First 15: 5-10

First 30: 14-16, .467

This slow start was especially tough because the Mariners were coming off of an AL West title the year before. 

It really wasn't the slow start that made this season disappointing, but the 8-20 June that put Seattle out of contention. Besides that, they played over .500 for the rest of the season.

Finished: 76-85, .472 

6) 1994

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

30 Jul 1994: Outfielder Jay Buhner of the Seattle Mariners swings at the ball during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox won the game 4-2.

First 15: 5-10

First 30: 13-17, .433

Before the MLB went on strike, the Mariners won nine out of 10 in the month of August and were closing in on division leader Texas. 

Unfortunately, the strike did happen, and the Mariners lost their chance at making the playoffs after a slow start.

Finished: 49-63, .438

5) 1979

First 15: 5-10

First 30: 10-20, .333

It was just the Mariners' third season, and they were still basically in rebuild mode. They were pretty bad consistently throughout the season, but at least they were consistent. 

Finished: 67-95, .414

4) 1983

First 15: 5-10

First 30: 10-20, .333

Another rough start for a young team (minus 44 year old Gaylord Perry). They had three months in which they couldn't reach 10 wins and took their third 100-loss season in six years.

Finished: 60-102, .370 

3) 1978

First 15: 5-10

First 30: 10-20

It was only their second season, and they just didn't have the talent to seriously compete yet.

Finished: 56-104 

2) 1981

First 15: 4-11

First 30: 10-20, .333

1981 was the only year until this year that the Mariners only won four of their first 15. They had a nice May and June before the strike went into effect.

Even with the worst start in team history, Seattle looked like they would avoid 100 losses.

Finished: 44-66, .400

1) 2011

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 17: Starting Michael Pineda #36 of the Seattle Mariners pitches during the game against the Kansas City Royals on April 17, 2011 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

First 15: 4-11

First 30: TBD

While tying the worst 15-game start in team history isn't inspiring, they are still things to look forward to for this Mariner team. 

Certain early to mid 90's teams started off slow, but they were able to rebound and play close to .500 ball for the rest of the year and even put themselves in a position to make a run at the playoffs. In fact, the teams that proved the first 15 games were an anomaly were able to turn things around as quick as the next 15. 

Alternately, the teams who struggled in the "second fifteen" struggled for the whole year. 

Essentially, it is still early.

That's why the next 15 games are extremely important for the Seattle Mariners. If they can get things going and win eight or nine in the next two weeks, then hope should be restored for at least an interesting year for Mariner fans.

If not, then well, it may be a long year.

Finished: TBD