As part of a weekend full of activities celebrating the club’s 50th season, the Mariners will host their first ever Alumni Home Run Derby on Aug. 7, immediately following the 9:40 p.m. ET game against the Rays.
The planned group of participating former M’s is headlined by Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki and includes Mike Cameron, Ryan Rowland-Smith, Ryon Healy, Austin Nola, Bucky Jacobsen and Stefen Romero. Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. will additionally serve as the "commissioner" of the Derby, while Nelson Cruz and Jay Buhner will captain the competing teams of alumni.
“It’s always great being back in Seattle, but the 50 Seasons celebration is going to be on another level," said Mariners Hall of Famer Jay Buhner. "I think I can speak for all of our players, past and present, when I say this city and these fans are special. It's going to be awesome to have all the guys back in town for the weekend, and hopefully our Derby participants can put on a good show to start things off on Friday night.”
Suzuki, now 52, hit 117 MLB home runs in his illustrious career. He has maintained impressive shape after his career, however, and spends plenty of time around the game these days. He also had a statue erected in his likeness outside T-Mobile Park this season.
Meanwhile, Cameron, 53, had 278 homers over 17 MLB seasons, leading the entire group of participants.
All fans who have a ticket to the Aug. 7 game will have access to the Alumni Home Run Derby. There will also be an opportunity to win prizes throughout the Derby with targets placed throughout the field, according to the release. Tickets can be purchased now at Mariners.com/tickets.