Position in the Spotlight: Seattle

Seattle's sports reputation is similar to the reputation of the city on the whole. From grunge music to coffee shops, Seattle gives the impression of being trendy and almost European. In their sports, this is reflected easily from the Seahawks' metallic green uniforms to the popularity of the new soccer franchise, the Sounders, to retiring the number 12 in honor of Seahawk fans, a trend now seen across the league in many sports.
Seattle sports are fan friendly endeavors. Only the Mariners of late have seemed to feel the pressure to win more than to show Seattlites a good time or to constantly assert that every fan is a valued member of the team. Certainly, Safeco Field is an enjoyable place to watch a game, a fact appreciated by residents of Puget Sound, I'm sure.
Seattle's secluded corner of the country means only so many names get to the mainstream for coverage, and Seattle has certainly introduced the world to some great characters and athletes, particularly from the Mariners' outfield. Mariners' centerfielder is the Position in our Spotlight.
The Mariners were a terrible team for many years. Things started looking up in the late '80s when a young son of another Major Leaguer broke into the league. Ken Griffey Junior was an absolute magician early in his career. He started winning Gold Gloves in his second season in the league, and won it every season until he left for Cincinnati in 2000. If it wasn't for his explosive bat, this fielding might have made more headlines. He lead the league in homers 4 times, including consecutive seasons of 56 and won the MVP in 1997. For much of the 90s, Griffey was the American League's best player.
Griffey was eventually replaced by another Gold Glover, Mike Cameron. Cameron came over as part of the trade that sent Griffey to the Reds. He was never the hitter Griffey was, but he did carry on the torch of elite fielders in center. Cameron picked up two more gold gloves for the M's.
The period followng the Cameron era in Seattle has been rather fluid. For one glorious year, however, Ichiro, the Japanese sensation, played 155 games in center in 2007. It was his second best season in terms of batting average, hitting .351 for the year. Believe it or not, he won the gold glove there too. And this is just the one season that he played at center field.
The centerfield position may be reaching it's end as a position of great importance, or at least, the Mariners are getting less lucky with their centerfielders. All you need to do is look at the Orioles and see the all-star centerfielder they traded to Baltimore for Eric Bedard. Adam Jones would have fit in perfectly with the history of Seattle

Honorable Mention: Mariners' Corner Outfielders - The Mariners defintiely had a few notable guys playing the corners, including Ichiro, Mariners legend Jay Buhner and more recently Raul Ibanez and Randy Winn. No other shoe-in hall of famers, however.

Seahawks' Quarterback - There is a well known name in there, Jim Zorn who coaches the Redskins now, the long time, hall of fame QB in Dave Krieg, and the NFC Champion Matt Hasselbeck. Of course, there is also Rick Mirer.