Mariners Unveil Statue Honoring Record-Setting 2001 Team at T-Mobile Park

The Mariners Honor a Pivotal Moment: A Statue for the 2001 Team

This blog post takes a closer look at the Seattle Mariners’ upcoming tribute to their unforgettable 2001 team—a season that left a permanent mark on baseball history.

We’re going to dig into why the new statue matters, with Mike Cameron and Mark McLemore front and center. It’s all about a moment that captured unity and patriotism when the country needed it most.

A Season of Unprecedented Dominance and Unwavering Spirit

The 2001 Seattle Mariners weren’t just another baseball team. They became a phenomenon, honestly.

They racked up 116 wins, which still stands as a jaw-dropping record and speaks volumes about their grit and skill.

Breaking Records and Uniting a City

The Mariners didn’t just have a good year—they dominated. They clinched the American League West title on September 19th.

Their play set an American League record for wins in a single season. Fans felt that achievement deeply, and it really brought Seattle together in a way you could feel in the air.

• The 2001 Mariners notched an incredible 116 wins, setting an American League record.
• Their relentless drive made every home game in Seattle feel electric.
• That era gave rise to a bunch of fan favorites, and honestly, it helped cement the team’s place in the city’s heart.

The Defining Moment: A Symbol of Resilience

But the 2001 season was about more than numbers. It happened alongside a tragedy no one could have imagined, and the Mariners’ response—now captured in the statue—really showed what baseball can mean to people.

Remembering 9/11 and the Power of Baseball

After the events of September 11th, Major League Baseball paused everything. The country needed time to grieve, to process what had happened.

When games started up again, the Mariners found their own way to honor the victims and to comfort their fans. That day, Carl Hamilton, the team’s video coordinator and a Marine veteran, brought the American flag onto the field. Mark McLemore took it from him and carried it to the mound, walking with a kind of quiet dignity.

The whole team gathered in a prayer circle. That image—everyone together on the field—stuck with every person in the stadium, and probably beyond.

• Public address announcer Tom Hutyler asked for a moment of silence in front of a sold-out crowd of 45,459. The weight of that silence was something else.
• McLemore then led a slow walk around the field. It was wordless, but it said everything.
• Cameron later called it “the best way to show love for Seattle fans and the nation during a time of conflicting emotions.”

The Statue: A Lasting Legacy at T-Mobile Park

Soon, this moment will live on in bronze at T-Mobile Park. It’ll stand as a reminder of the 2001 team’s legacy and the compassion they showed when it mattered most.

Unveiling a Piece of History

The new statue shows Mike Cameron and Mark McLemore raising the American flag. It’ll stand in the Center Field Plaza at T-Mobile Park.

They’re planning the unveiling for September 3rd, during a game against the Oakland Athletics. Honestly, just thinking about that day feels a bit emotional already.

Mariners chairman John Stanton said this tribute “commemorates a meaningful moment in both American and Mariners history, highlighting baseball’s role in bringing communities together.”

The team first shared plans for this recognition at the Mariners’ FanFest event. Fans jumped on the news right away, and the buzz hasn’t really stopped since.

• The statue stands as a permanent memorial to a team that meant more than just wins or losses—a real symbol of hope and unity.
• It reminds us that baseball isn’t just a game; it’s woven into American culture and has this uncanny ability to bring people together, whether we’re celebrating or struggling.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Mariners announce new statue coming to T-Mobile Park