2011 Seattle Mariners season

The 2011 Seattle Mariners season was the 35th season in franchise history. The Mariners finished the season last in the American League West with a 67–95 (.414) record. Eric Wedge was hired before the season to manage the Mariners. Long-time broadcaster Dave Niehaus died before the season. The team wore commemorative patches honoring Niehaus during the season and unveiled a statue of Niehaus at Safeco Field in September. The Mariners established the King's Court fan section for ace Félix Hernández during the season. == Off-season == === Coaching changes === Daren Brown, the Seattle Mariners interim manager during the 2010 season, stated that he had interest in returning as the full-time manager in 2011. On October 5, 2010, The Seattle Times reported that Mariners had requested and received permission from the Kansas City Royals to interview their bench coach John Gibbons, who previously served as the Toronto Blue Jays manager. The Seattle Times also reported that the Mariners interviewed Bobby Valentine and Lloyd McClendon for the open managerial position. On October 15, Eric Wedge was hired as the manager. === Death of Dave Niehaus === Long-time broadcaster Dave Niehaus suffered a myocardial infarction at his Bellevue, Washington, home while preparing to barbecue some ribs on his deck on November 10, 2010 and died at age 75. Heart problems had forced Niehaus to undergo two angioplasties in 1996, leading him to give up smoking and change his diet. He was survived by his wife, three children, and six grandchildren. On December 22, Seattle rapper Macklemore released a song called "My Oh My" in tribute to Niehaus. Macklemore performed the song at Safeco Field on Opening Day 2011 during the team's tribute to the late broadcaster. The team wore patches on their jerseys in commemoration of Niehaus during the 2011 season. A bronze statue of Niehaus was unveiled on September 16 at Safeco Field. === Notable transactions === December 2, 2010: Érik Bédard re-signed with the Mariners. December 2: José López traded to the Colorado Rockies for Chaz Roe. December 10: Jack Cust signed as a free agent. December 12: Brendan Ryan acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals for Maikel Cleto. December 14: Ryan Langerhans and Chris Gimenez signed as free agents. January 3, 2011: Miguel Olivo signeda two-year, $7 million contract as a free agent. January 4: Josh Bard signed as a free agent. January 10: Adam Kennedy signed a minor-league contract as a free agent. January 31: Jamey Wright re-signed with the Mariners on a minor-league contract. March 2: Aaron Laffey acquired from the Cleveland Indians for Matt Lawson. == Regular season == === Season standings === ==== American League West ==== ==== American League Wild Card ==== ==== Record against opponents ==== Source: MLB Standings Grid – 2011 === Season summary === After winning their first two games of the season, the Mariners lost seven games in a row, entering last place in the American League (AL) West. The team returned to .500 in late May, spending much of the next month in second place. A 17-game losing streak in July returned the team to the basement and led the team to trade starters Doug Fister and Érik Bédard at the trade deadline. Pitchers Félix Hernández, Michael Pineda, and Brandon League represented the Mariners in the All-Star Game. The Mariners created the King's Court fan section during Hernández's starts during the season. Ichiro Suzuki's streak of appearing in the All-Star Game and winning a Gold Glove Award, which started in his rookie season in 2001, ended. Pineda, Dustin Ackley, and Mike Carp were named to the Baseball America All-Rookie Team. Pineda was the AL Rookie of the Month in April, with Carp winning the award in August. ==== Notable transactions ==== April 30, 2011: Steve Delabar signed as a minor league free agent. May 3: Roenis Elías signed as a minor league free agent. May 16: Milton Bradley released. June 6: Start of 2011 MLB draft. Notable signings include: Danny Hultzen selected with the second overall pick of the draft. He signed for a $6.35 million signing bonus. Brad Miller selected in the second round. He signed for a $750,000 bonus Carter Capps selected in the third round as a supplemental pick. John Hicks selected in the fourth round. Carson Smith selected in the eighth round. July 27: Wily Mo Peña signed as a free agent. July 29: Ryan Langerhans traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for cash. July 30: Doug Fister and David Pauley traded to the Detroit Tigers for Casper Wells, Charlie Furbush, Francisco Martinez, and a player to be named later. Seattle received Chance Ruffin on August 17 to complete the trade. July 31: Érik Bédard and Josh Fields traded to the Boston Red Sox. Seattle received Trayvon Robinson from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chih Hsien Chiang from the Red Sox. August 4: Jack Cust released. August 19: Aaron Laffey selected off waivers by the New York Yankees. August 21: Andrew Kittredge signed a minor league contract. August 31: Jack Wilson traded to the Atlanta Braves for a player to be named later. Seattle received Luis Caballero on September 30 to complete the trade. September 1: Matt Tuiasosopo released. === Game log === == 2011 roster == === Player stats === ==== Batting ==== Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; BB = Base on balls; SB = Stolen bases; AVG = Batting average ==== Pitching ==== Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; HR= Home runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts === MLB debuts === Eleven players made their MLB debut with the 2011 Mariners, including future All-Stars Steve Delabar, Michael Pineda, and Kyle Seager as well as Alex Liddi, the first player born and raised in Italy to play in MLB. Josh Lueke and Tom Wilhelmsen (April 3) Michael Pineda (April 5) Mike Wilson (May 10) Dustin Ackley (June 17) Blake Beavan (July 3) Kyle Seager (July 7) Trayvon Robinson (August 5) Anthony Vasquez (August 23) Alex Liddi (September 7) Steve Delabar (September 11) Sources == Farm system == Source == References == == External links == 2011 Seattle Mariners season Official Site Archived October 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine 2011 Seattle Mariners at Baseball Reference