The Seattle Mariners added their name to the record books by winning 116 games this season. This, despite losing superstars Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr and Alex Rodriguez over the previous three seasons. But the Mariners still had a solid nucleus of players, including Japanese star (and league MVP) Ichiro Suzuki, and a surprise season from second baseman Bret Boone.
        But once again, the Mariners weren't good enough. This is the same franchise that began its existence with 14 straight losing seasons. In the early 1990's they started winning, thanks to Griffey, Johnson, Rodriguez, Edgar Martinez and others. They weren't losers anymore, but by the end of the decade they had earned a reputation as underachievers, unable to win a championship despite having a roster with numerous future Hall-Of-Famers.
        This year was the biggest disappointment of them all. They won 116 games during the season, then were soundly beaten in the playoffs by (who else?) the Yankees.

        Ichiro Suzuki could do no wrong in 2001. He was something different; Japanese pitchers had been in the game for several years, but Suzuki was the first outfielder to cross over the pond and play in America. He was a hit from Day One; he didn't hit many home runs, but he could slash the ball and run and he was an outstanding defensive player. Fans and media loved his style of play, and it also didn't hurt that the Mariners won almost all of their games early in the season. By midseason, he was known simply as "Ichiro"; after the season, he became only the second rookie to win the MVP Award.
        Ichiro was probably one of the top ten players in the league, but I have trouble seeing him as the MVP. He had two weaknesses: he had little power, and he didn't walk much. He would be extremely well-suited for the dead-ball era, but is not so effective in a game dominated by three-run home runs. Ichiro's .381 on-base percentage was not exceptional for a leadoff hitter, and his .457 slugging percentage was nothing special for an outfielder.
        I would have voted for the Athletics' big man, Jason Giambi. The 2000 MVP had his second straight monster season with the bat, and was clearly the best hitter in the American League. Giambi almost won the batting title - he fell only eight points shy if Ichiro. But Giambi also spiked his batting average with tremendous power numbers and a huge number of walks. He was the leader of an Oakland team that also had a great season, winning 102 games — though they too, like the Mariners, were felled in the playoffs by the Yankees.
        Ichiro doesn't compare to Giambi with the bat. He had other advantages - outstanding baserunning and superior defense being the obvious two. Ichiro also led the league with a remarkable .449 batting average with runners in scoring position. In the end, though, I think that the math works out in Giambi's favour; Ichiro's other attributes don't make up for the difference in run production.
        Alex Rodriguez made headlines when he left the Mariners and signed a jaw-dropping $250 million contract with the Texas Rangers. Unfortunately for Rodriguez, his new team finished last in their division while his old team was setting a new record for wins. But Rodriguez made good on the first year of his monster contract, becoming the first shortstop to hit 50 home runs in a season. Rodriguez had a wonderful season with the bat, and was also strong defensively; as in 2000, a case could be made that either him or Giambi was the best player in the league. I will stick with Giambi, if only because he played for a winner.
        Two American League second basemen had big seasons in 2001. Roberto Alomar was no surprise; Roberto had one of his best seasons, and led the Indians back into the playoffs. As usual, Alomar was the total package: hitting for average, getting on base, hitting for power, baserunning, great defense, durability. I will also nudge Alomar slightly ahead of Rodriguez; again, it's a close call between the two, but I'll give Alomar an edge for playing with a winner. I think any one of Giambi, Alomar and Rodriguez would have made a fine MVP.
        Bret Boone also had a great year, and that was a major surprise. Boone (son of Bob, grandson of Ray, brother of Aaron) began his career with the Mariners in 1992, then was traded to Cincinnati. He hit .320 in his first year with the Reds, but then something went wrong; Boone began to struggle, and his career bottomed out with a pair of miserable seasons in 1996 and 1997.
        Outstanding defense kept him in the league, and his bat snapped back a little in 1998. He moved to Atlanta, then San Diego, hitting .250 with both teams. He then returned to Seattle, and had the daunting task of replacing Alex Rodriguez in the lineup. Amazingly enough, he did it. Something clicked when he rejoined the Mariners, and posted some Triple Crown numbers, even leading the league in RBI.
        Boone's teammate, Ichiro, won the MVP Award, but I have to think that Boone was the Mariners' best player. Ichiro had a small edge in batting average, but Boone had far more power. Ichiro won a Gold Glove, but Boone was also a great defensive player, and he played a more demanding defensive position. Both players were great stories; Ichiro may have caught the imagination of all baseball fans, but I think that Boone put more wins on the board for the Mariners.