1996 Seattle Mariners season

The Seattle Mariners 1996 season was their 20th season, and the team was the runner-up in American League West, with a record of .520, 4½ games behind the champion Texas Rangers. The Mariners led the majors in runs (993), doubles (335), runs batted in (954), and slugging percentage (.484), but the pitching staff had the highest earned run average (5.21) in team history. Four Mariners scored at least 100 runs and four drove in at least 100 runs. In their game against the Kansas City Royals on May 11, the Mariners set a franchise record of 12 extra-base hits.

Offseason

 * November 29, 1995: Mike Blowers was traded by the Mariners to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Willis Otañez and Miguel Cairo.
 * January 23, 1996: Aaron Small was selected off waivers by the Mariners from the Florida Marlins.
 * January 29, 1996: Aaron Small was selected off waivers from the Mariners by the Oakland Athletics.
 * March 25, 1996: Ricky Jordan was purchased by the Mariners from the California Angels.

Game log

 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss Bold = Mariners team member
 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss Bold = Mariners team member

Notable transactions

 * April 13, 1996: Félix Fermín was released by the Mariners.
 * June 4, 1996: 1996 Major League Baseball Draft
 * Gil Meche was drafted by the Mariners in the 1st round (22nd pick). Player signed June 9, 1996.
 * Juan Pierre was drafted by the Mariners in the 48th round, but did not sign.
 * Sean Spencer was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 40th round of the 1996 amateur draft. Player signed August 26, 1996.
 * August 1, 1996: Greg Pirkl was selected off waivers from the Mariners by the Boston Red Sox.
 * August 14, 1996: Roger Blanco (minors) was traded by the Mariners to the Atlanta Braves for Mark Whiten.
 * August 22, 1996: Luis Sojo was selected off waivers from the Mariners by the New York Yankees.
 * August 29, 1996: The Mariners traded a player to be named later to the Minnesota Twins for Dave Hollins. The Mariners completed the deal by sending David Ortiz to the Twins on September 13.

Starters by position
''Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Other batters
''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Awards and honors
Alex Rodriguez became the first shortstop in 56 years to win the American League Batting Crown.
 * Alex Rodriguez, American League Batting Champion