Former Mariners pitcher Mike Jackson throws out Saturday's ceremonial first pitch

Former Seattle Mariners pitcher Mike Jackson, who played for the Mariners from 1988-1991 and again in 1996, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Mariners vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game on Saturday, June 9. Game time is 4:15pm (FOX broadcast). Good seats are still available at www.mariners.com/tickets.

Jackson, who had an intimidating stare from the mound, spent most of his career as a set-up man and closer. In addition to the Mariners, Jackson pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies (1986-1987), San Francisco Giants (1992-1994), Cincinnati Reds (1995), Cleveland Indians (1997-1999), Houston Astros (2001), Minnesota Twins (2002), and Chicago White Sox (2004).

During Jackson's second stint with the Mariners (1996), he averaged nearly nine strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched. After the season, Baseball Digest called him "an underappreciated" setup man.

Today, Jackson is a coach at Big League Baseball Academy in Tomball, Texas (north of Houston), a baseball training facility for elementary to high school aged players.

Jackson was invited back to Seattle as part of the Mariners 35th Anniversary celebration, a season-long tribute to the franchise's history in which former Mariners are welcomed back to Seattle for special appearances and promotions at Safeco Field.

Tickets for Saturday's game, and all other games on the Mariners 2012 home schedule, are available at www.mariners.com/tickets.