This week in Mariners history: All-Star edition

While the A's series is pressing on our minds, the 85th annual All-Star game is just around the corner, featuring Seattle's Felix Hernandez, Kyle Seager, and Robinson Cano. Over the past 38 years, the Mariners have sent 41 players and managers to the All-Star game, some of them for multiple performances (both Junior and Ichiro appeared in ten consecutive Midsummer Classics). Here's how they fared in each season:

1977 All-Star Game

Elected the Mariners' first All-Star, rookie outfielder Ruppert Jones was handed one at-bat in the fifth against Dodgers' four-time All-Star, right-hander Don Sutton, kicking off the American League's fifth scoreless inning against the National League. The AL team would go on to lose 7-5 for the sixth consecutive year.

1978 All-Star Game

Although shortstop Craig Reynolds was nominated to the AL roster, he was held in reserve and never touched the field. The American League squad lost again, 7-3. It was the first All-Star game held in San Diego.

1979 All-Star Game

Just two years after their inception, the Mariners hosted the All-Star game at the Kingdome. First baseman Bruce Bochte was named a reserve, but brought in to pinch-hit for Royals' second baseman Frank White in the sixth inning. Bochte ripped a single off of future Mariner Gaylord Perry, scoring pinch-runner Rich Burleson for the tie-breaking run. Despite their momentary lead, the AL team lost 7-6 on a home run and run-scoring walk by Mets' pinch-hitter Lee Mazzilli.

1980 All-Star Game

Rick Honeycutt became the first Mariners pitcher elected to the All-Star game, but was not called upon during the American League's 4-2 loss. One other notable first: The televised broadcast marked the first time that "O Canada" was played in the U.S. after it was officially designated as Canada's national anthem on July 1.

1981 All-Star Game

In his last season with Seattle, and lone All-Star year, outfielder Tom Paciorek pinch-hit for Detroit starter Jack Morris. He got a base hit off of Cincinnati right-hander Tom Seaver, but was left stranded as the AL team banked on their 1-0 lead through two and a half innings. As was the norm by now, the American League lost 5-4.

1982 All-Star Game

Although Floyd Bannister was not the first Seattle pitcher to receive an All-Star designation, he was the first to appear in an All-Star game. Backed by a 3-2 lead, Bannister pitched a scoreless fifth inning, allowing one base hit to Philadelphia infielder Manny Trillo. Of the five AL pitchers in the game, Bannister was the only left-hander called to pitch. The American League team lost for the 11th year in a row, 4-1.

1983 All-Star Game

The American League got their revenge with a 13-3 beatdown of the NL team. Rookie southpaw Matt Young was elected on the Mariners' behalf, and pitched one scoreless inning against two MVP nominees and a soon-to-retire Johnny Bench.

1984 All-Star Game

Alvin Davis only received one All-Star nomination in his nine-year career. As a fresh-faced 23-year-old, he stepped in for Jack Morris and struck out against fellow rookie, Mets' 19-year-old right-hander Dwight Gooden. Gooden struck out each of the batters he faced in the 5th inning of the National League's 3-1 win.

1985 All-Star Game

Piggybacking on Davis's poor All-Star at-bat, center fielder Phil Bradley grounded into a double play in his lone plate appearance against Expos' first-time All-Star Jeff Reardon. The National League roster boasted five future Hall of Famers -- the American League, ten. Even so, the NL team won 6-1.

1986 All-Star Game

The American League kept a perfect game through four innings, maintained by Roger Clemens for the first three and Teddy Higuera for the fourth. Though the AL pitching staff led the team to a 3-2 win, Mariners nominee Jim Presley never made it off the bench. It was the first time since 1978 that a Mariners All-Star had not received an at-bat in the game.

1987 All-Star Game

For the first time, the Mariners sent two players to the All-Star game: left-hander Mark Langston and second baseman Harold Reynolds. Langston shut out the NL for two innings, striking out three batters and retiring the heart of the order. The pitchers' duel lasted for nearly four hours, taking the game into the 13th inning before Expos' left fielder Tim Raines hit a two-run triple for a 2-0 win. Reynolds, for his part, attempted two bunts and went 0-for-3.

1988 All-Star Game

Reynolds got a shot at redemption in his second and final bid for an All-Star berth. He pinch-hit for third baseman Wade Boggs and promptly looped a fly ball to left field in Orel Hershiser's scoreless inning of work. Backed by a sac fly and run-scoring hit by pitch, the American League eked out a 2-1 win.

1989 All-Star Game

Jeffrey Leonard took a page from Reynolds' book in his last at-bat as an All-Star. He struck out looking against Dodgers' right-hander Jay Howell, also pitching in his final appearance as an All-Star. Leonard would spend just one more year in Seattle before capping his 14-year career. Here, however, the AL All-Stars defeated the NL 5-3, stringing together two consecutive victories for the first time since 1958.

1990 All-Star Game

Twenty-year-old Ken Griffey Jr. earned his first of ten consecutive All-Star nominations and represented the Mariners as the first Seattle player to start in the Midsummer Classic. After going 0-for-2, Junior finally reached base on an intentional walk by Houston reliever Dave Smith. After 85 minutes of rain delay, the game was decided with a two-RBI double by Texas pinch-hitter Julio Franco.

1991 All-Star Game

Griffey started again for the American League All-Stars, this time contributing with a pair of base hits in the AL's 4-2 win. The Toronto Blue Jays hosted the classic at the Skydome, signifying the second and last time, to date, that an All-Star game was hosted outside of the United States.

1992 All-Star Game

For the second time in a decade, the AL All-Stars won with a staggering 13 runs. Griffey was enjoying his third nomination in a row, while Edgar Martinez was inducted into the All-Stars club with a pinch-hit opportunity. The two put up opposite performances: Edgar grounded against Greg Maddux, while Junior went 3-for-3 with an RBI single, double, and home run. Despite the National League's five-run rally in the eighth and ninth innings, they could not make up the seven-run deficit.

1993 All-Star Game

For the second time, Griffey and Johnson were selected to the AL lineup. This time around, however, Johnson was given a couple innings of work. He induced a groundout from Barry Bonds in the third inning, then struck out Philadelphia first baseman John Kruk. Through two innings, he allowed zero baserunners. Griffey contributed to a three-run rally with an RBI single, driving pinch-hitter and loose cannon Albert Belle home in the AL's 9-3 victory.

1994 All-Star Game

Junior and Johnson struck again in 1994. For the first time since 1987, the game went into extras, finally settling in the National League's favor with a walk-off double by Montreal left fielder Moises Alou. Griffey went 2-for-3 with a double and RBI single, while Johnson gave up the lead to the NL in the sixth inning on a solo home run by Montreal center fielder Marquis Grissom.

1995 All-Star Game

On the eve of their first playoff appearance, the Mariners sent four players to the All-Star game: Junior, in his sixth year, Johnson, in his fourth, Edgar, in his second, and first baseman Tino Martinez, in his first. This marked the first year in which Griffey was nominated for an All-Star berth and did not get to play in the game. Randy Johnson made his first All-Star start, allowing a leadoff walk to Philadelphia's Leny Dykstra. Edgar got his first All-Star start as well, going 0-for-3 and relieved by none other than Tino Martinez in the eighth inning. Despite Tino's pinch-hit single, the American League went on to lose 3-2.

1996 All-Star Game

By year's end, the Mariners would find themselves in the playoffs yet again, and this time, with five All-Stars on their team. In addition to repeat years for Junior and Edgar, Jay Buhner, Alex Rodriguez, and Dan Wilson made their first appearances at the game. It also marked the first time that a Mariners catcher had received an All-Star distinction. Griffey sat on the bench again, while Edgar, Buhner, A-Rod, and Wilson all wasted pinch-hit at-bats in the National League's 6-0 shutout.

1997 All-Star Game

As the AL moved to reclaim the All-Star game with a 3-1 win, Griffey and Johnson found themselves both in the starting lineup. It was an off day for Junior, who went 0-for-4 at the plate, while Johnson repeated his last All-Star outing: two innings, one walk, and no runs. In perhaps one of the more exciting plays of the game, Johnson struck out Barry Bonds. Edgar, A-Rod, and Little Joey Cora also made appearances in the game. Edgar went 2-for-3 with a base hit and a leadoff solo home run against Greg Maddux.

1998 All-Star Game

As Seattle's playoff chances waned, so did their All-Star game representation. This year, only Griffey and A-Rod were selected to the starting lineup. 1998 marked the highest run total in an All-Star game since 1992, with a combined 21 runs between the two teams. Griffey pulled two base hits, a stolen base, and a run-scoring walk out of his four plate appearances, while Alex went 2-for-3 with a single and a home run off of Padres' right-hander Andy Ashby.

1999 All-Star Game

For the first time in eight years, Junior was the Mariners' only representative at the All-Star game. He went 0-for-2 against Philadelphia right-hander Curt Schilling and, now playing for the Diamondbacks, his former teammate, Randy Johnson. The American League won their second All-Star game in a row on three base hits and a fielding error, 4-1. It was the tenth and final season that Griffey would receive an All-Star position.

2000 All-Star Game

There were two notable firsts for the Mariners in the AL's 6-3 win: it was the first time that a Seattle manager had been invited to participate (Lou PIniella played coach to Bobby Cox's managing), and it was the first time that a right-handed pitcher had been selected from the Mariners' roster (17-game winner Aaron Sele). Sele earned a hold after one inning of work, retiring four batters and allowing a single base hit to Braves' first baseman Andres Galarraga. Edgar and A-Rod also received consideration for the game. Edgar lined out in his pinch-hit at-bat, while A-Rod sat on the bench.

2001 All-Star Game

Prior to the All-Star break, the Mariners carried a record of 63-24. As befit a historic season, they sent Lou Piniella and eight players to the All-Star game: a rookie Ichiro Suzuki, Bret Boone, Mike Cameron, Jeff Nelson, John Olerud, Kazuhiro Sasaki, Freddy Garcia, and Edgar. Against the backdrop of a newly-constructed Safeco Field, the American League All-Stars won 4-1. Only Ichiro and Cameron managed hits against the National League, with a leadoff single and double, respectively. None of the Mariners' pitchers allowed as much as a hit, culminating in a win for Garcia, a hold for Nelson, and a save for Sasaki.

2002 All-Star Game

Three of the Mariners' 2001 All-Star squad returned in 2002 for the first tie in All-Star history. Ichiro went 0-for-2 against Curt Schilling and Pittsburgh's Mike Williams, while Kazuhiro Sasaki allowed a game-tying run in the seventh inning and Freddy Garcia pitched a scoreless tenth and eleventh inning. Fans were so irate over the decision to end the game without a clear winner or MVP that they tossed bottles and debris onto the field. The All-Star game has not ended in a tie since.

2003 All-Star Game

Ichiro and Edgar reprised their roles in the AL's starting lineup, while pitchers Jamie Moyer and Shigetoshi Hasegawa made their first and only All-Star outings. Ichiro went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks, while Edgar managed to strike out twice and reached base after being hit by a pitch from Giants' right-hander Jason Schmidt. Moyer pitched a scoreless frame in the fourth inning, but his teammate was not so lucky: Hasegawa earned a blown save after giving up a walk, single, and two-run homer to Colorado infielder Todd Helton. Despite a three-run rally in the eighth, the AL All-Stars fell 7-6.

2004 All-Star Game

In the first inning of the American League's 9-4 victory, Ichiro Suzuki led off with a double. The AL squad batted around for six runs, hitting for the cycle with a triple by Ivan Rodriguez, two home runs by Manny Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano, and a base hit by Derek Jeter. In his last year with Arizona, former Mariner Randy Johnson pitched a scoreless inning, inducing a groundout from Ichiro to end the third inning.

2005 All-Star Game

For the first time, Ichiro relinquished the AL leadoff spot to Boston outfielder Johnny Damon. Again, Ichiro was the only Seattle player to grace the All-Star roster, and went 1-for-2 with an RBI base hit off of Nationals' right-hander Livan Hernandez. The American League earned their third consecutive win, 7-5.

2006 All-Star Game

Ichiro was joined by first-time All-Star Jose Lopez, who filled in at third base and pinch ran for White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko. The pitchers' duel lasted well into the eighth inning, with the AL squad eking out a 3-2 win on a two-run triple by Texas second baseman Michael Young. For the second time in his All-Star career, Ichiro went 0-for-3.

2007 All-Star Game

2007 signified the first time that the National League had hosted back-to-back classics, as well as the tenth win in a row for the American League team. In Ichiro's seventh consecutive All-Star appearance, he went 3-for-3 and hit the first inside-the-park home run in All-Star history off of then-Padre (and future Mariner) Chris Young. Even more remarkable, the home run evaded the glove of former Mariner Ken Griffey, Jr., who had been manning right field in the spacious AT&T Park. Mariners closer J.J. Putz nearly lost the game, giving up a walk, base hit, and two-run homer to Alfonso Soriano in the ninth inning.

2008 All-Star Game

The National League finally snapped the AL's winning streak with the longest game in All-Star history. The stars took a 3-3 tie into the 15th inning, unable to resolve the game until Texas infielder Michael Young hit a walk-off sac fly after nearly five hours of play. As in '04 and '05, Ichiro was the Mariners' only All-Star, going 1-for-3 with a base hit off of Cubs' right-hander Carlos Zambrano.

2009 All-Star Game

Following the longest All-Star game in history was one of its shortest, a mere two and a half hours long. Ichiro led off the AL lineup for his ninth year in a row, going 1-for-3 with a base hit. For the first time since Lou Piniella's stint as an All-Star coach in 2001 and '02, current M's manager Don Wakamatsu was named an All-Star coach for the American League. From the second inning to the eighth, AL pitchers retired 18 batters in a row, aided by a scoreless frame from a 23-year-old Felix Hernandez. The American League capped its 4-3 win on a sac fly by Baltimore center fielder Adam Jones.

2010 All-Star Game

The 2010 All-Star game saw a smattering of rule changes, from the permanent installation of the designated hitter to expanded 34-man rosters. Ichiro went 0-for-2 in his tenth and final All-Star appearance, while the American League went on to lose 3-1 on a three-run double by Braves' catcher and pinch-hitter Brian McCann.

2011 All-Star Game

Phoenix hosted the All-Star game for the first time in their 13-year history, marking the first year that designated hitters were used at a National League ballpark in the classic. For the first time in team history, three Seattle pitchers were named to the AL roster without any accompanying position players: a rookie Michael Pineda, Felix Hernandez, and Brandon League. Felix was the only pitcher who had to sit out of the game. Pineda made it through the second inning on ten pitches and two strikeouts, while League gave up a base hit and RBI double to Giants' third baseman Pablo Sandoval. The National League went on to win its second consecutive game, 5-1.

2012 All-Star Game

For the second time in a row, Felix Hernandez was again named an All-Star, and again not allowed to pitch, making it the first year since 1986 that a Mariner had not played in the All-Star game. While it would be accurate to say that the National League All-Stars shut out the American League All-Stars, 8-0, it would be even more accurate to say that this game was won by the San Francisco Giants. The Giants boasted four All-Stars, with infielders Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey, outfielder Melky Cabrera, and starting pitcher Matt Cain. Cain shut out the AL team for two innings, while Sandoval drove in three runs on a double and Melky hit a two-run homer.

2013 All-Star Game

This time, it was Hisashi Iwakuma's turn to sit on the bench while Felix pitched. With one run of support behind him, Hernandez pitched a scoreless fourth inning, breaking the perfect game with a single to Cardinals' outfielder Carlos Beltran. The American League padded their lead with an extra two runs, preserving their shutout for a 3-0 win. It was the third shutout by the AL in All-Star history, the seventh overall, and the first time that back-to-back shutouts had been pitched by both teams.

Your turn: What are some of your favorite All-Star memories?