SEATTLE MARINERS

Groz Remembers 2001 Mariners: Mark McLemore, the all-important 10th man

Jun 16, 2021, 11:47 AM

Mariners Mark McLemore...

Mark McLemore was especially valuable to the 2001 M's as he played six positions well. (Getty)

(Getty)

2001: A Baseball Odyssey – a weekly look back at the record-setting 2001 Mariners and the players who got them there.

As the month of June worked into its later days, the Mariners were skipping along and getting ready to host the All-Star Game, which now seemed like it would become an M’s showcase.

M’s Takeaways: Servais on Haniger’s status, key to Fraley’s breakout

The team had no weakness and was stretching its huge lead in the American League West. In fact, as good as the Mariners were playing, it was almost like they were playing with 10 players while everyone else had nine.

In a way, that was true.

When 2001 started, the Mariners had brought in Bret Boone to play second base, and it looked like Mark McLemore, the incumbent from the 2000 season, would see spot duty at best. That was unacceptable to him, and as it turned out unacceptable to manager Lou Piniella, as well. So McLemore became the 10th starter – in the outfield, at third base, shortstop and second base – and started 125 games. But that’s just the beginning of his value.

At age 36, McLemore was at the top of his game and gave the Mariners a unique weapon that few teams possessed. His ability to not just play six positions but to play them very well made him an indispensable piece of the record-setting club.

June 21 was a typical McLemore game. He started at second and finished at shortstop, going 2 for 5 at the plate – increasing his season average to .299 – and stealing his 23rd base as the M’s outslugged the A’s 12-10. Seattle improved to 54-17 with the victory as it kept driving to the All-Star break.

Check out McLemore remembering the 2001 Mariners season along with teammates Jamie Moyer and Arthur Rhodes in this Clubhouse Chat video from the Mariners Virtual Baseball Bash earlier this year.

Follow The Groz on Twitter.

More 2001 Mariners memories from Groz

Tom Lampkin, from Kingdome clubhouse boy to M’s catcher
Edgar Martinez cements his legacy with his last great season
Aaron Sele, the pitcher who ‘fell from the sky’
Bret Boone gave Seattle a huge, surprising boost
Paul Abbott, the forgotten hero of the historic ’01 M’s
Introduction: Celebrating the 2001 Mariners, 20 years later

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
High 66° | Low 43°
Roof is open
Rockies at Mariners today at 1:10pm

Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners Dominic Canzone...

Brent Stecker

What could unlock Mariners’ Dominic Canzone for a breakout in ’24

Dominic Canzone has been one of the best hitters for the Seattle Mariners this spring. Jerry Dipoto talked to Wyman and Bob about his ceiling.

10 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Luis Castillo...

Shannon Drayer

Mariners Notebook: Opening day starter set, plus a pitch clock wrinkle

Shannon Drayer details the makeup of the Seattle Mariners' planned 2024 starting rotation and opening day starter, plus much more from Arizona.

12 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Logan Gilbert...

Shannon Drayer

Seattle Mariners Notebook: Checking in on the pitchers

Seattle Mariners' Shannon Drayer caught up with Logan Gilbert after a good outing, and has notes on Luis Castillo, Matt Brash and more.

1 day ago

Seattle Mariners Julio Rodríguez...

Brent Stecker

Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez details his offseason meeting with Servais

Seattle Sports' Wyman and Bob talked to Mariners star Julio Rodríguez about his time this offseason with the skipper, plus the goals that are clear in the clubhouse.

1 day ago

Seattle Mariners Scott Servais...

Shannon Drayer

Drayer: How Mariners and Servais view start of season differently

After some slow starts in years past, the Seattle Mariners plan to approach the start of the season differently, Scott Servais says.

2 days ago

Seattle Mariners J.P. Crawford...

Brandon Gustafson

J.P. Crawford: Trade to Mariners ‘saved my career, saved my life’

J.P. Crawford sure is glad to be with the Seattle Mariners, as he explained to Wyman & Bob when discussing his early years in Philadelphia.

3 days ago

Groz Remembers 2001 Mariners: Mark McLemore, the all-important 10th man