Results tagged ‘ Raul Ibanez ’
Mariners In New York City
It was a busy day for several Mariners players prior to tonight’s game vs. the Yankees. Four players (Tom Wilhelmsen, Charlie Furbush, Lucas Luetge, Brandon Maurer) took over the MLB Fan Cave, and Michael Morse and Raul Ibanez were guests at the MLB.com headquarters to participate in the Edward Jones Chatting Cage.
We’ll post some video and more photos of the two visits later, but here a few quick pics of the guys from this morning.
Brandon Maurer, Charlie Furbush, Lucas Luetge and Tom Wilhelmsen at the MLB Fan Cave.
Michael Morse and Raul Ibanez were guests at MLB.com headquarters today.
Mariners Magazine & 2013 Yearbook
The first edition of Mariners Magazine (Volume 24, Issue 1) featuring Michael Morse and Kendrys Morales is now available for purchase throughout Safeco Field and at any of the five Mariners Team Stores. You can also subscribe to Mariners Magazine and have it delivered to your home.
The 2013 edition of the Mariners Yearbook featuring cover boys Kyle Seager, Felix Hernandez, Raul Ibañez and Dustin Ackley has also been published and is available at Safeco Field and Mariners Team Stores.
A Night at the Museum
Raul Ibañez and his son RJ make up a bed in the Plaque Room at the Baseball Hall of Fame for an Extra Innings Overnight sleepover.
Mariners outfielder Raul Ibañez and his son RJ had a sleep-over at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and they had such a good time that Raul decided to give the Hall a piece of baseball history.
The Museum has an Extra Innings Overnight program where fans can spend the night. Back in November 2011, Raul, RJ and RJ’s youth baseball teammates had a slumber party in the Hall of Fame Plaque Gallery.
The outing was so special that Raul decided to donate the bat he used to make history in the American League Championship Series with the Yankees last fall. You may recall October 10, 2012, when Raul became the first player in history to hit two home runs in the ninth inning or later of a postseason game, giving the Yankees a win over the Orioles.
Raul wanted to share a souvenir of that great night in recognition of the great night he and RJ had at the Hall. Here’s what Raul said about the donation of the historic bat:
“It meant such a great deal to go through the Museum with RJ and tour through the game’s treasures, knowing that the Hall of Fame is where the game’s greatest stories are preserved… Knowing that the bat that I used from the one moment in baseball history is going to be in Cooperstown forever is just so great. I’m honored to have anything of mine attached to the Hall of Fame.”
Raul Ibañez at the “Chasing the Dream” exhibit at the Hall of Fame that tells the story of Henry Aaron’s career.
Raul Ibañez to Return to the Mariners in 2013
While the news has been out there since before Christmas, we were able to finally announce the signing of outfielder Raul Ibañez to a one-year contract today. And for those wondering, we’ve already been able to confirm that Raul will wear his familiar #28 the next time he takes the field for the Mariners.
Ibañez, 40, is a familiar name to Mariners fans having appeared in a Seattle uniform from 1996-2000 and 2004-2008. Among all-time Mariners leaders he ranks in the top 10 in club history in nearly every offensive category, including home runs (127, 7th), RBI (547, 7th), extra base hits (341, 7th), hits (967, 8th), games played (986, 8th) and slugging percentage (.464, 9th).
“We spoke of adding some veteran presence to our ball club this off season,” said Mariners General Manager Jack Zduriencik. “In Raul we have a player and person with outstanding leadership skills who has participated in post season play the last several years. We will give Raul the opportunity to come in an compete and add an additional veteran presence to this ball club.”
In his four seasons since last appearing for the Mariners (2009-2012), Ibañez averaged 30 doubles, 22 home runs, 80 RBI and 141 games played a season with the Philadelphia Phillies (2009-2011) and New York Yankees (2012). He was a National League All-Star in 2009 and a postseason hero for the Yankees last season.
With the Yankees in 2012, Ibañez hit .240 (92×384) with 19 doubles, 3 triples, 19 home runs and 62 RBI in 130 games while playing left field (80 G/65 GS), designated hitter (23 GS) and right field (13 G/11 GS). In 8 postseason games he combined to bat .318 (7×22) with 3 home runs and 5 RBI. In Game 3 of the American League Division Series vs. the Baltimore Orioles he hit a game-tying pinch-hit solo home run in the bottom of the 9th inning (to tie the game 2-2) and a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 12th inning. Ibañez became the first player in Major League history to hit two score-tying or go-ahead home runs in the 9th inning or later in one postseason game.
“Raul is the ultimate professional both on and off the field,” said Mariners manager Eric Wedge. “His veteran presence will be invaluable to our younger group of players.”
During his 17-year Major League career Ibañez has combined to hit .278 (1883×6771) with 396 doubles, 46 triples, 271 home runs and 1,116 RBI in 1,947 games. In 10 seasons with the Mariners (1996-2000, 2004-2008), Ibañez hit .284 (967×3407) with 127 home runs. When he appears in a game in 2013 he’ll join Mike Blowers (1992-95, 1997, 1999), Norm Charlton (1993, 1995-97, 2001) and Jeff Nelson (1992-95, 2001-03, 2005) as the only players in club history to have three separate stints with the Mariners.
Ibañez was originally selected by the Mariners in the 36th round of the 1992 June Draft out of Miami-Dade Community College. He made his Major League debut on Aug. 1, 1996 vs. the Milwaukee Brewers.
Ibañez Career Highlights:
- Safeco Field – Career .284 hitter (453×1597) with 66 home runs and 262 RBI in 467 games at Safeco Field (.355 OBP, .472 SLG, .828 OPS)…is the all-time home run leader at Safeco Field and ranks 2nd in hits (453) and extra base hits (161).
- Amongst active Major League players Ibañez ranks T15th in games played (1,947), 25th in hits (1,883), 21st in doubles (396) and 24th in home runs (271).
- Playoffs – Appeared in 10 postseason series (44 G) during his career, including the 2009 World Series with Philadelphia.
- Recorded 11 consecutive seasons with 15 or more home runs at age 30 or older (age computed on June 30 of each season)…trails Craig Nettles (12) for most in Major League history, and tied with Rafael Palmeiro, Eddie Murray and Hank Aaron.
- Recorded 16 career multi-homer games (6 with Seattle) and 10 walk-off hits (6 HR).
- Has homered in 32 different ballparks during his 17-season Major League career.
