2001 top 10 highlights~The best of 2001

As might be expected when a team wins an American League record 116 games, there were numerous highlights that stand out in Mariners fans' memory banks. More than 400 of those fans submitted their lists of favorite plays during the past week varying from a Bret Boone home run to any number of great Mike Cameron catches.

One of the numerous e-mails didn't specify a particular play, but addressed the season in general:

Thank you, Seattle Mariners. Lou and the boys played a brand of baseball that I will one day tell my grandchildren about. It was a magical year. Here's to continued success and another shot at the World Series in 2002!

Top 10 most memorable plays of 2001:

1. AL West clinch celebration

The most magical moment in all of baseball history, let alone just the 2001 Mariners season, was the AL West Championship Celebration on the field led by Mark McLemore. One of the classiest acts of patriotism and love of baseball I have ever witnessed. Thanks for allowing me to be part of the best baseball season I have ever known. I may have moved away real recently, but my heart will always be in SAFECO Field.
Jason McFarland

Mark McLemore carrying the flag around the diamond after clinching the championship was the top moment, because it showed everything that was so good about this team. It was a winning moment, it showed their emotional commitment to something more than just playing baseball, it showed them as a team, which is what made them win so many games, and it showed the appreciation they have for the fans in Seattle. Thanks for doing this.
Don Randall

The AL West championship clincher. One week and one day after the tragic attacks on our country, Jamie Moyer threw a five hit shutout and Edgar Martinez homered as the Mariners won 5-0. After the game Mark McLemore hoisted the American flag and led the players in a respectful lap around the field culminating in a moment of silence at the pitchers mound.
Kyle Olney

2. Win #116

Kazu striking out Alex Rodriguez to win 116. What irony! What a classic baseball matchup. Here he comes Alex to the plate and the record is on the line. Kazu gets it done and Rodriguez can only look on as the team celebrates what they did without him. I have no malice toward the guy, but if there was ever a moment when it was crystal clear what the ramifications of his decision were, that was the moment.
Thanks for this trip down memory lane.
Jesse P. Howard

It was only fitting that Alex Rodriguez should come to the plate after Sasaki got the first two Rangers out in the 9th. The entire crowd stood up, anticipating the final out that would tie the Mariners for the most wins in baseball history. It didn't seem like we could possibly get any louder, but as the count went quickly to 0 and 2 the volume roared up a notch. Then, suddenly, it exploded as Alex Rodriguez swung and missed at Kazu's unhittable splitter and the game and the season were headed for the history books.
Andrea Dobson

3. Ichiro nails Terrence Long

The throw from Ichiro that nailed Terrence Long of the Oakland Athletics at third base tops my list. The jury was still out on Ichiro early in the season. But this play changed everything. This play not only saved a possible run scored in this game, but also countless other runs in other games when the opposing team's third base coach throws up the "stop" sign not wanting to test the cannon in right.
Ross Lambert

Ichiro throwing out Terence Long. We found out early that not only can he hit and run, he has a cannon in that small package.
Wes Ono

4. Cameron grand slam

Mike Cameron hits Grand Slam to cap an 8 RBI day at Yankee Stadium. Any time a player can have a good game against the Yanks it is nice, but when Mike Cameron has a day that he may never top in his career it is very, very sweet. Mike had a huge game and that grand slam just capped his amazing day in the Bronx.
Jeff Skiba

5. Bret Boone curtain call

My favorite was when Seattle played the Texas Rangers and Bret Boone got the curtain call after his second home run. It was so exciting and my husband and I got to see with my nephew and a friend.
Geri Owsley

6. Javier over-the-head catch

Stan Javier's no-look, over-the-head catch in centerfield against the White Sox. That is a great ballplayer, even though he looks down to find the wall he keeps his glove up!
Sam Alexander

7. John Olerud cycle

I think the list would not be complete without including John Olerud hitting for the cycle. He is such a steady and humble competitor and to be able to watch him do what only two other Mariner's had accomplished was awesome.
Peggy Stewart

8. Rodriguez returns to SAFECO

The first time Alex Rodriguez came back to SAFECO Field and the monopoly money was falling from the skies and the guy in the front row was holding a fishing rod with a dollar bill hanging from the hook in front of Alex. This was a great game because I took my mom to her first game at SAFECO Field and she fell in love with it. She couldn't stop smiling for days.
David L Reed

9. McLemore diving catch

Mark McLemore's diving catch in the playoffs versus the Indians that helped get the Mariners get back on track and propelled them into the League Division Series. He was so critical to the team that you could pick anything that he did, but this play wins out because of its impact.
Mary Kell

10. Glistening earrings

Earring Gate. Arthur (Rhodes) and Omar (Vizquel). What a nutty affair. Rhodes gets kicked out because of glistening diamond studs and we end up winning it all on John Rocker's errant throw after a sacrifice bunt. Stan Javier filled in for Ichiro that day and played like his namesake Stan the Man. He did it all. Great game in the sun at SAFECO Field. Unforgettable.
Blake Hill