Say it ain’t so, Lou

  • Kirby Arnold / Herald Writer
  • Monday, October 22, 2001 9:00pm
  • Sports

By Kirby Arnold

Herald Writer

NEW YORK — The end came decisively for the team that was one of the best in baseball history from April through September.

The Seattle Mariners’ October swoon continued, however, with a 12-3 loss to the New York Yankees on Monday that ended their season. The Yankees won the best-of-seven American League Championship Series 4-1 and advanced to the World Series for the fourth straight year.

The Mariners, who tied the 1906 Chicago Cubs’ major league record of 116 victories, could not duplicate their regular-season success in the playoffs. They beat the Indians in the first-round division series in the deciding fifth game, then won only one of five games against the Yankees.

The Yankee Stadium crowd let the Mariners know about it, too, by chanting "One-six-teen! One-six-teen" and "Over-rated! Over-rated!"

Although badly beaten, the Mariners still believed in themselves, including one — Stan Javier — who played his last major league game and another — Jay Buhner — who might have.

"I’m so happy I ended my career in Seattle," said Javier, who played the first game of his career 1984 with the Yankees and ended it in Yankee Stadium. "This is still one of the best teams in baseball, and I believe this team will be playing at this level for a long time to come."

Buhner, who spent most of the season recovering from a foot injury, said he will decide in the offseason if this was his last game.

"I don’t know, but I would say yeah," he said. "Based on the way I feel right now, I think I’ve gotten just about everything out of my body that I can get."

In the end, that’s all anyone could say about the Mariners, who fell into a postseason hitting slump and never recovered against the Yankees.

"I don’t know about feeling unfulfilled," Mariners manager Lou Piniella said. "If we’d have won this and lost in the World Series, you’d still feel unfulfilled. We gave it our best shot."

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs

The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district playoff clash.

Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire run game coach

Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

Balanced scoring attack leads Gonzaga

Zags take over second place in WCC with 88-77 win over USF.

Shorewood senior Bridget Cox (11) elevates to get a shot over Everett senior Aimelie Hovde-Girard (21) in Shorewood's 41-30 win in the opening round of the District 1 3A Girls Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood girls basketball avoids Everett upset bid in 41-30 win

Glasser’s ‘dagger’ 3 caps second-half run, pushes No. 5 Stormrays to 3A District 1 Quarterfinals

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 12

Terrace, Monroe girls advance in district hoops tournament.

Kimberly Beard, a Mukilteo resident who attends King's High School, prepares to release a throw during the 20-pound weight competition at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Donna Beard)
Mukilteo’s Kimberly Beard wins throwing event

The King’s High School junior won the 20-pound weight throw at a George Fox indoor meet.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.