Mariners bring back four fan favorites for 40th anniversary celebration

Four Mariners fan favorites are scheduled to throw out ceremonial first pitches before games during the upcoming homestand when the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets come to Safeco Field.
Raul Ibañez, Mike Cameron, Ryan Rowland-Smith and Norm Charlton are all scheduled to do the honors before games in celebration of the Mariners 40th Anniversary, presented by Alaska Airlines.
Raul, who had three tours with the Mariners (1996-2000, 2004-2008, 2013) during a 19-year Major League career, will throw out the pitch on Friday, July 21, before the Mariners take on the New York Yankees.
Ibañez was drafted by the Mariners in 1992 as a catcher. He made his Major League debut as an outfielder on August 1, 1996. After splitting time between the Mariners and AAA Tacoma Rainiers, Ibañez signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Royals, where his career blossomed. After three seasons with the Royals, Raul returned to Seattle where he split time as designated hitter and in the outfield. His third stint with the Mariners was as a free agent for the 2013 season.
Raul was known for his work ethic and quiet leadership in the clubhouse where the veteran mentored young players with his knowledge of hitting. He retired in 2014 with a .272 career batting average with 305 home runs and 1,207 RBIs.
Mike Cameron will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Mariners take on the Yankees on Saturday, July 22 (6:10 p.m. start).
Cameron was part of the trade with Cincinnati that sent Ken Griffey Jr. to the Reds following the 1999 season. With the unenviable job of replacing a superstar in center field, Cameron won the hearts of Mariners fans during the first week of the 2000 season when he reached over the centerfield fence to steal a home run from the Yankees Derek Jeter.
During the four seasons he spent with the Mariners (2000-2003), the prime of his Major League career, Cammie won two Gold Gloves (2001, 2003), was among eight teammates to represent the Mariners at the 2001 All-Star Game at Safeco Field, hit four home runs in one game (May 2, 2002 at Chicago White Sox), and hit the walk-off home run that ended the 19-inning marathon against the Boston Red Sox (August 1, 2000), the longest game in Safeco Field history.
In addition to his great play, Cameron was beloved for his engaging personality, infectious love for the game and the time he spent before most home games perched on top of the dugout signing autographs. In 2012, Cameron threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day. Earlier that day, he signed a one-day contract and officially retired as a Mariner.
Pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith, who throws out the ceremonial first pitch on Monday, July 24, when the Red Sox come to Safeco Field, made his major league debut for the Mariners on June 22, 2007, against the Cincinnati Reds at Safeco Field, striking out the first batter he faced: Ken Griffey Jr.
Rowland-Smith had a promising start to his career as both a reliever and a member of the starting rotation. In 2008, he recorded eight consecutive quality starts from August 21-September 27, the longest streak by a Mariners starter since Joel Piñeiro tossed eight consecutive quality starts in 2002. After an effective 2009 season, Rowland-Smith struggled through a 1-10 record in 2010. But through it all, his easy-going, engaging personality made him a fan favorite.
As an early adopter of social media, going by the moniker @Hypen18, the native Australian formed a bond with Mariners fans that continues to this day. Since 2015, he has made occasional appearances as an analyst on Mariners radio and TV broadcasts.
Relief pitcher Norm Charlton, who will throw out the first pitch before the Mariners meet the Mets on July 29, was a key member of two Mariners magical seasons: 1995, when the team made its first trip to the postseason, and 2001, when the team won an American League record 116 games. The lefty, known as "The Sheriff," had three tours as a Mariners player (1993, 1995-1997, 2001) and also served as bullpen coach (2007).
During his 13-year Major League career, Charlton was a member of the World Series Champion Cincinnati Reds (1990) and an All-Star (1992).
Tickets for all remaining games on the Mariners 2017 home schedule are available atMariners.com/Tickets. Tickets can also be purchased at Mariners Team Stores (4th & Stewart in downtown Seattle, Bellevue Square, Alderwood Mall and Southcenter Mall), at the Safeco Field Ticket office and by phone at 1-888-SEA-HITS.