Two Outs, So What!

Celebrating the 2001 Mariners 25 years after a magical season

Twenty-five years ago, the Seattle Mariners had a magical season and pennant fever gripped the Pacific Northwest. This book collects biographies of every player on the 2001 roster and looks back at key games and moments in their record-setting run—a 116-win season, the best in American League history. Their penchant for comeback victories inspired the catchphrase: "Two Outs, So What!"

The M’s built a large division lead early and never let up. Just as they were about to clinch the AL West Division title, the 9/11 terrorist attacks shocked the nation and interrupted the season. When play resumed a week later, they clinched in front of an emotional Safeco Field crowd.

The offensive attack started with Ichiro Suzuki, a Japanese sensation who posted a historic rookie season. His MVP campaign overshadowed a career year by teammate Bret Boone, who finished third in the MVP voting. The lineup also boasted future Hall of Famer Edgar Martínez, five-tool center fielder Mike Cameron, and steady first baseman John Olerud, all of whom enjoyed All-Star seasons.

The 2001 Seattle Mariners were arguably as well-rounded as any team in major-league history. The roster, constructed by general manager Pat Gillick and piloted by Lou Piniella, dominated the opposition in every facet of the game. The M's scored more runs than any other team, allowed the fewest, and led the majors in ERA, OBP, and stolen bases. The resulting 116 regular-season wins tied the 1906 Chicago Cubs for the most wins in a single season.

Seattle’s pitching staff featured soft-tossing southpaw Jamie Moyer, who won 20 games, while a young workhorse named Freddy García produced an All-Star campaign. Out of the bullpen, Arthur Rhodes, Jeff Nelson, and Kazuhiro Sasaki were nearly flawless in the late innings.

Although Seattle fell short of winning the American League pennant, losing to the New York Yankees in the ALCS, the 2001 Mariners and their historic season maintain a special place in the hearts of a long-suffering fan base. This book, released on the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Mariners, represents a collaborative effort of more than 50 SABR members.

STEVE FRIEDMAN has been a SABR member since 1990. Over the years, he has contributed articles for SABR publications and the BioProject. He resides in the Pacific Northwest and has been a season ticket holder of the Seattle Mariners since 1995. His youth was spent in the San Francisco Bay Area where he followed his beloved Giants. Steve retired after a career as an operator of cable television systems and currently consults with broadband and fiber optic companies.

ERIC VICKREY joined SABR in 2020 and has contributed numerous articles to the BioProject and Games Project. He is the author of three books: Runnin' Redbirds: The World Champion 1982 St. Louis Cardinals, Season of Shattered Dreams: Postwar Baseball, the Spokane Indians, and a Tragic Bus Crash That Changed Everything, and Before They Wore Dodger Blue: Tommy Lasorda and the Greatest Draft Class in Baseball History. Eric lives in Washington state with his wife, Gina, and their two cats, Edgar and Ralphie.