Although it seems like the Mariners made their debut yesterday, it has really been 23 years since names like Dave Collins, Lee Stanton, and Rupert Jones helped the Mariners in their first game against the California Angels. From past to present, the Mariners have changed a lot. They used to lose lots of games (like most expansion teams) and didn't make the big plays when they needed to be made.

I bet you've heard of Ken Griffey and his famous son Ken Griffey, Jr., but they didn't come until the late 1980s. Once they did come along, however, they brought power to Seattle and nearly got them to the World Series. With the Griffeys, the Mariners completely changed. Games were won and every player played to his full potential.

In the early 1990s the Griffeys became the first father/son combo to homer in the same game. Just a few seasons later, Ken Griffey, Sr. retired. Still powered by Griffey, Jr., the Mariners kept on winning. Sadly in the off season of 2000, the Mariners traded Ken Griffey, Jr. to the Cincinnati Reds. That meant superstar shortstop Alex Rodriguez had to step up his game. The Mariners did even better without Griffey and with the help of Alex Rodriguez. The Mariners made it to the playoffs only to lose to the New York Yankees.

In the 2001 off season A-Rod was given up to the Texas Rangers. Who knows how the Mariners will do in the future. The team is unpredictable.