J.J. Putz made his Major League debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2003 for three games, and in 2004 and 2005, he had a role in the bullpen appearing in 118 Games.  In those two years, Putz was just another arm, but after adding a splitter to his arsenal, and winning the closing job, 2006 would see him reborn.

Jeff Nelson was with the Seattle Mariners for three different runs, and while he was a four-time World Series Champion with the New York Yankees, it is with Seattle where he will always be most associated with.

Jose Lopez climbed the minor-league ladder with remarkable speed, making his major-league debut in 2004 at just 20 years old. Initially tasked with filling the voids left by departing franchise icons, Lopez's true calling card became his exceptional defensive adaptability and a durable, free-swinging bat that could anchor multiple spots on the diamond.

Lopez’s official role as a frontline contributor began in the 2006 campaign. At 22, he made a breakout summer with 170 hits, 28 doubles, 10 home runs, and a.282 batting average. His play earned him a spot at the All-Star Game in Pittsburgh. Though his aggressive hitting meant few walks and a weak .297 on-base percentage, he compensated by being a reliable run-producer who excelled at putting the ball in play with runners on.

After his All-Star breakthrough, Lopez became one of the American League's most reliable infield contributors. In 2008, he delivered an outstanding offensive season, amassing a career-high 191 hits and 41 doubles. His performance ranked third in total hits across the league, behind Dustin Pedroia and Ichiro Suzuki.

He carried that same momentum into the 2009 campaign, demonstrating an unexpected increase in raw power. Lopez hit a career-high 25 home runs and drove in 96 RBIs, establishing himself as the key, cleanup hitter for a rebuilding team. Apart from his consistent presence at the plate, Lopez offered manager Don Wakamatsu a crucial defensive safety net. Over his seven seasons in the Pacific Northwest, he played more than 100 games at second base, third base, and shortstop, using soft hands and a quick transfer to prevent opposing rallies effectively.

After a tough 2010 season that saw a decline in his offensive efficiency, the front office decided to prioritize youth by trading the veteran infielder to the Colorado Rockies for pitching depth. Lopez then had brief periods with the Marlins, Indians, and White Sox before establishing a successful, multi-year career in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, where he achieved significant productivity.

Lopez completed his memorable seven-year Seattle residency having compiled 897 hits, 154 doubles, 80 home runs, and 402 RBIs across 845 total games.

When the Seattle Mariners began their first season in April 1977, they were a diverse team still searching for key players to build a future. Julio Cruz came into the picture. Initially signed from the California Angels' farm system, the smooth-fielding switch-hitter was picked by Seattle in the 1976 expansion draft. He gained immediate experience in the majors as a 22-year-old rookie that summer, and the next year, he became the franchise's first regular starting second baseman.

Known affectionately as "The Cruzer" by a growing Pacific Northwest fan base, his value wasn't based on raw power or extra-base hits. Cruz epitomized the dead-ball style speedster of the late 1970s; during his six-and-a-half seasons in Seattle, he was a light hitter with only 17 home runs and a modest .243/.327/307 slash line. Nonetheless, he had exceptional base-running instincts and an innate talent for causing chaos once he reached first base.

Cruz used his lightning-fast speed to solidify himself as the anchor of manager Darrell Johnson’s lineup, constantly challenging opposing catchers with aggressive baserunning. His performance peaked in the 1978 Season, when he raced across the Kingdome’s artificial turf to steal a career-high 59 bases. This breakout established him as an elite baserunner, and he consistently surpassed 40 stolen bases each year for the following four seasons, regularly creating scoring opportunities for a team in need of offensive stability.

Beyond his peak in dynamic base-running, Cruz offered consistent, highly efficient infield play. His soft hands and excellent lateral range contributed to his strong relationship with teammates around second base, making him a beloved clubhouse leader during the team's early years. The end of his notable tenure in Seattle came in June 1983, when the front office traded him to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for infielder Tony Bernazard. Cruz quickly found success in Chicago, becoming a key player that helped the White Sox achieve a 99-win season and win the American League West division.

He finished his Seattle career with 701 hits and 290 stolen bases in 722 games. He held the franchise record for stolen bases for 25 years until Ichiro Suzuki surpassed him in 2008.