The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington, United States.

The Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League.

Before being awarded a team in Major League Baseball, Seattle had been a staple of the Pacific Coast League dating back to the late 19th century.

After two and a half seasons with the Mariners and while guiding the team to a 44-33 record in the 2007 season, Mike Hargrove unexpectedly announced before the July 1, 2007 game against the Toronto Blue Jays that the game would be his last as the Mariners' manager.

Bench coach John McLaren was announced as Hargrove's replacement.

On July 13, Ichiro Suzuki signed a 5-year, 90-million-dollar contract with the Mariners that will extend to 2012.

With minor league prospect Adam Jones playing well and a fairly consistent offense and pitching staff, the 2007 Mariners were back in contention in the AL West and AL Wild Card races.

Hitting coach Pentland was fired on June 9 and was replaced by Lee Elia, who was previously the Mariners' hitting instructor from 1993-1997.

Following a 1-5 homestand, general manager Bill Bavasi was dismissed on June 16 and replaced by Lee Pelekoudas on an interim basis.

Pelekoudas has held various front office positions with the Mariners since 1980, most recently as vice president/assistant general manager.

On June 23, 2008, pitcher Félix Hernández hit a grand slam off of fellow Venezuelan Johan Santana, of the New York Mets, and became the first pitcher in the Seattle Mariners franchise history to hit a home run, as well as the first AL pitcher to hit a grand slam in Interleague play.

Seattle Mariners Ticket Retention