Mariners Fans Are Nationwide

Further proof the Seattle Mariners have become one of the nation’s most popular teams comes from ticket sales for home games.

According to Ticketmaster, Mariners tickets have been sold to fans from 42 of the 50 United States. Outside the Western part of the country, New Hampshire is the leader in tickets sold with 338. Ohioans have purchased 225 and Floridians 149.

Through the first three months of 1997, the Mariners internet site - www.mariners.org - has received an average of 65,807 hits a day.

Ballpark update

More than 200 of the total 1,400 foundation piles have been driven in and demolition of surrounding buildings is in progress for the Mariners’ new stadium. The ballpark now is scheduled to open in mid-1999.

The 45,611-seat stadium will cover 8.75 acres. The retractable roof will weigh 22,000,000 pounds and cover the same surface area as 54,400 umbrellas.

Numbers game

With the Mariners and Major League Baseball retiring the uniform No. 42 of Jackie Robinson on Friday, Mariners fans wondered if former Seattle first baseman Alvin Davis would be the first actual Mariner to have his number retired. Since Davis left the Mariners in 1991 no one has worn his No. 21.