Mariners' playoff drought extends to 19 seasons
The Seattle Mariners were eliminated from playoff contention on Thursday despite not playing.
With both the Toronto Blue Jays and the Houston Astros winning, Seattle's postseason drought extended to 19 seasons, the longest active stretch in the big four North American professional sports leagues (MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL).
The Blue Jays defeated the New York Yankees to clinch the last American League wild-card spot and the Astros clubbed the Texas Rangers to ensure the Mariners could no longer catch them for the second AL West position.
It’s a wrap. Mariners officially eliminated from playoffs as Astros beat Rangers, 12-4. Mariners can’t catch Houston now for No. 2 AL West berth and Toronto clinched last AL Wild Card spot earlier with 4-1 won over Yankees.
— Greg Johns (@GregJohnsMLB) September 25, 2020
The Mariners last reached the playoffs in 2001 when they posted the best regular-season record since the schedule expanded to 162 games by going 116-46. However, they were bounced by the Yankees in five games during the ALCS.
The starting lineup for that final playoff game to date for the franchise is a real blast from the past.
| Order | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ichiro Suzuki | LF |
| 2 | Mike Cameron | CF |
| 3 | Bret Boone | 2B |
| 4 | Edgar Martinez | DH |
| 5 | Jay Buhner | RF |
| 6 | John Olerud | 1B |
| 7 | Dan Wilson | C |
| 8 | Carlos Guillen | SS |
| 9 | David Bell | 3B |
Aaron Sele started the game and reliever Jose Paniagua remains the most recent Mariners pitcher to toe the rubber in a playoff contest.
Seattle will wrap up its season with a four-game set against the AL West-leading Oakland Athletics.