5 Greatest Seattle Mariners Hitters of All Time

Frank Costanza on line one!

Buhner is a perfect example of why context matters when creating these lists. Despite averaging 1.6 bWAR over his 14 seasons in Seattle, his counting stats — 307 home runs, over 900 RBIs, and an .852 OPS — would have been enough to at least put him in consideration. 

But above all else, Buhner contributed to the heart and soul of those Mariners postseason teams. Ken Griffey Jr. was the flash and the face, and it’s not hard to imagine where he ranks on this list. But the Mariners knew they could always rely on Buhner, too. 

4. Alex Rodríguez (1994-2000)

Minor spoiler, but "A-Rod" had the shortest Seattle stint of any player on this list. Not that the Mariners are complaining, given that Rodríguez casually hit .315 and averaged 38 home runs, 115 RBIs, 25 stolen bases, and a .956 OPS during those five full seasons. 

Oh, and that stretch began when Rodríguez was in his age-20 season. 

It’s hard to call Rodríguez “wasted talent” with his prolific final numbers, but such is the case when performance-enhancing drugs are involved. 

Regardless, you could easily make a case for "A-Rod" at No. 3, though Mariners fans would likely agree with this next pick.

MORE: 5 Greatest Seattle Mariners Pitchers of All Time

3. Edgar Martínez (1987-2004)

Believe it or not, Martínez is arguably among the most important baseball players of the 21st century despite playing his final game in 2004. If you’re too young to have watched Martínez, just know that he spent most of his career as Seattle’s starting designated hitter. 

Martínez is widely considered the first full-time designated hitter to earn a spot in the Hall of Fame, which certainly helped David Ortiz’s case down the road. It’s incredible to think that Ortiz only appeared on 77.8% of Hall of Fame ballots. 

And, if you’re an Immaculate Grid player, you’ll be happy to learn Martínez works for one of everyone’s favorite Saturday categories: a lifetime average above .300. 

2. Ichiro Suzuki (2001-12, 2018-19)

Ichiro over Martínez will generate debate, but let's talk about it. Yes, like Rodriguez, Ichiro is a member of the exclusive MLB 3,000-hit club.

But for the first decade-plus of Ichiro’s big-league career, the 2025 Hall of Fame inductee was perhaps the most annoying hitter we’ve ever seen. Not necessarily the most intimidating or fearsome, but just pesky. 

Trust us, that’s a compliment. 

Over his first 10 seasons, Ichiro averaged 225 hits, 26 doubles, seven triples, and 38 stolen bases. He didn’t need to beat you with the long ball. So long as Ichiro reached first, he’d find a way to make you pay.

1. Ken Griffey Jr. (1989-99, 2009-10)

If 1990s Ken Griffey Jr. stepped into a time vortex and arrived in 2026, he’d immediately become one of the world’s most popular athletes, and not solely for figuring out interdimensional travel. 

The statistics -- 2,781 career hits, 630 home runs, 13 All-Star nods, and an MVP -- don’t do Griffey justice.

The Hall of Famer was arguably the final PED-free face of Major League Baseball when the sport still had global relevancy. Between his sweet swing, his defense, and the joyful enthusiasm with which he played, who didn’t want to root for Junior?

Next time you’re stuck in line or need to kill time, go down the rabbit hole of Griffey Jr. highlights. You’ll thank us later.