The Double (Mariners)
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On October 8, 1995, Edgar Martinez, long time designated hitter for Major League Baseball's Seattle Mariners, came up with a clutch hit that gave the Mariners their first playoff series win. The play has since been known by Mariners fans as "the double." The game took place at The Kingdome.
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[edit] 1995 ALDS
During the 1995 American League Division Series, the New York Yankees won the first two games, including a 15-inning marathon game in Yankee Stadium. When the series returned to the Kingdome in Seattle, the Mariners won the next two games to force a decisive fifth game.
After ten and a half innings where the lead changed four times, the fifth game entered the bottom of the 11th inning with the Yankees ahead, 5-4. Joey Cora led off the bottom of the 11th with a bunt single, wiggling around Don Mattingly's attempted tag. Ken Griffey, Jr. followed with a single that moved Cora to third base.
[edit] The Double
With the Mariners down by one run, 5 to 4, Edgar Martinez hit a sharp line drive into left field off of Jack McDowell. Joey Cora scored easily from third to tie the game. Ken Griffey, Jr. ran frantically from first base and slid across home plate ahead of the tag, scoring the winning run. The crowd went berserk as his teammates piled on top of the smiling Griffey.
[edit] The Call
While most watching the game on television heard a Brent Musberger call of the double on ABC, the radio call from Dave Niehaus is seemingly the most memorable to fans.
| “ | Right now, the Mariners are looking for the tie. They would take a fly ball, they would love a base hit into the gap and they can win it with Junior's speed. The stretch, and the 0-1 pitch on the way to Edgar Marinez. Swung on and lined down the left field line for a base hit, here comes Joey, here is Junior to third base, they're going to wave him in! The throw to plate is -- late! The Mariners are going to play for the American League Championship! I don't believe it! It just continues, my oh my! | ” |
[edit] Aftermath
The Mariners proceeded to the 1995 American League Championship Series where they were defeated 4-2 by the Cleveland Indians, who went to their first World Series in 41 years. During the ALCS, the Washington State Legislature approved funding for a new baseball-only stadium, SAFECO Field, controversially overriding a public vote. The funding controversy led a series of anti-tax initiatives in Washington, championed by Tim Eyman.
As a result of the Yankees' elimination, long-time Yankee Don Mattingly never played in a World Series. The following season, Joe Torre replaced Buck Showalter as the Yankees' manager. The reenergized Yankees reached the World Series in 1996 for the first time since 1981, and went on to win four of the next five World Series championships.
During the 1995 playoff run and for a decade afterwards, attendance at Mariner games skyrocketed. Mariner manager Lou Piniella later described it as "the hit, the run, the game, the series, and the season that saved baseball in Seattle."[1]
Near SAFECO Field's northwest entrance, The Double is commemorated by a mural of Ken Griffey, Jr. sliding into home as his teammates literally jump for joy. The mural's name is "The Defining Moment." [2]
[edit] References
- ^ Thiel, A: "Out of Left Field: How the Mariners Made Baseball Fly in Seattle", page 129-131. Sasquatch Books, 2003
- ^ http://www.friendslittlebighorn.com/Thom-Ross-western-artist.htm
