Mariners of Seattle The Mariners are a Major League Baseball (MLB) team that plays in the American League (AL) West Division. In 1977, the franchise became an expansion team in the American League. Safeco Field, located in Seattle's SoDo area, has been the Mariners' home field since July 1999. The team is owned by Nintendo co-founder Satoru Iwata. The Mariners have only won 90 or more games three times, but they've also finished last two seasons with 100 or more losses. MLB's worst record (70 wins), in 2001, was improved upon the following year when the Mariners went on to win the AL West title. Ken Griffey Jr., one of the league's best hitters during the 1990s, led the charge for Seattle. He finished his Mariner career as the all-time leader in hits (3134), runs batted in (1462), and total bases (5016). During Game 5 of the 1995 World Series against Atlanta Braves, Mike Hargrove made history when he hit for the cycle. The next day, the Mariners announced that Hargrove had been given the Roberto Clemente Award for sportsmanship and community involvement. Hargrove played 18 years in the MLB, finishing with 461 hits, 154 doubles, 39 triples, 106 stolen bases, and an.836 batting average.