Phoenix Suns

Also see List of current NBA players#Phoenix Suns.
. Bench. Television KING TV 5 (NBC) 1977 - 81, KSTW TV 11; 1981 - 86, 89 - 92, 98 - Present, KIRO TV 7 (CBS); 1986 - 89, 95 - 99, and Fox Sports Northwest 1993 - Present. Starting Lineup. KVI 570 was the original home of the Mariners from 1977 - 85, then to KIRO 710; 1985 - 02, and currently on KOMO News 1000; 2003 - present. He even traveled to Japan in 1991, when the Suns kicked off the 1991-1992 NBA season there with 2 games against the Jazz. During Mariners broadcasts, the TV and radio announcers switch with each other during the middle of the 5th inning.

It is worthy to note that every single Suns game in history has been covered both on local Phoenix TV and radio by the legendary broadcaster, Al McCoy, who has battled every kind of situation imaginable to keep doing his job every time his beloved Suns play. On October 20, 2004, the Mariners announced the signing of their new manager, Mike Hargrove. Hargrove was the manager who led the Cleveland Indians past the Mariners in the 1995 ALCS. The Suns looked to bolster their defense during the summer. Just days after the end of the season, the Mariners fired Bob Melvin. The Spurs, twice holding the Suns to under 100 points, won the series 4-1, ending Phoenix's outstanding season. The season's end was enlivened by Ichiro breaking George Sisler's single season record of 257 hits (finishing with 262), and events to honor the retirement of Mariner stalwart, Edgar Martinez. In the Western Conference Finals, they played the San Antonio Spurs, who had the league's best defense. After the All-Star break, unable to ignore the dreadful state of their team, the Mariners gave the team a complete overhaul, moving aging and unproven players away from center stage and inserting over a dozen call-ups into the 25-man roster.

The Suns swept the Memphis Grizzlies 4-0 and defeated the number four seeded Dallas Mavericks in the second round 4-2. The team lost their first five games and went into the All-Star Break with a 9-game losing streak, a 32-54 season record (.372), and a 17-game deficit behind the first-place Texas Rangers. In the 2005 playoffs, Phoenix was seeded number one in the western conference, and because it owned the NBA's best record, was guarenteed home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Although many of their players were aging, the Mariners continued an apparent practice of "content to contend," starting the 2004 season having not made a major deal in three years. Shawn Marion, Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury, and former Suns player Dan Majerle won the Shooting Stars contest, Steve Nash won the Skills contest, Quentin Richardson and Joe Johnson both competed in the 3-Point Contest (with Richardson winning), Amare Stoudemire came in second in the Slam Dunk contest, and Nash, Marion, and Stoudemire all played in the game itself. The 2004 season, however, saw the demise of the Mariners' dominance of their division. The Suns also had a very large contingency of players competing in the NBA All-Star Game and the events that go with it. The Mariners stayed competitive in 7 of the 9 seasons from 1995 to 2003.

The Suns ended the 04-05 season as the team with the most points per game (110.4), the most threes per game (9.7), and the best three point percentage to match (39.3). The Mariners signed Bob Melvin to be their new manager. Despite an excellent start to the 2003 season, the Mariners failed to make the playoffs. The key to their success was their style of play, which heavily relied on the fast break, which is very uncommon in the current era of the NBA. At the end of the 2002 season, manager Lou Piniella left the Mariners to manage the Tampa Bay Devil Rays over the management policy of non-aggressive hiring. The team was not expected to do nearly as well at the beginning of the season. They pulled off a come-from-behind 3-2 series win over the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS to advance to the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, but succumbed to the Yankees for the second year in a row in the ALCS, 4 games to 1, in a hard fought series, a sad end to such a historic year. Nash was voted the NBA MVP for the 2004-2005 season after the regular season ended. In 2001, despite the loss of superstar shortstop Alex Rodriguez (He would be greeted at his return to Safeco with Monopoly money by fans, no doubt to protest his selling out of the Seattle fans), the addition of Japanese sensation Ichiro Suzuki and a career season by second basemen Bret Boone helped the Mariners to the most successful regular season on record in the modern era, leading the major leagues in winning percentage from start to finish, easily winning the American League West championship, setting a new Major Leage Baseball record for most wins in a single season with an unprecedented 116, matching the previous record for single season wins set by the Chicago Cubs in 1906.

The team was led by the MVP-caliber play of point guard Steve Nash, acquired in the offseason, as well as returning players Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion. The Mariners won the division title again in 1997, but were defeated in the ALDS 3-1 by the Baltimore Orioles. This ties their franchise best record for the most wins, back when Barkley was first traded to the team. Their championship run was halted by the Cleveland Indians. The 2004-05 season has been very successful, with the Suns finishing 62-20, the best record in the NBA. Down 2-0 in the ALDS,in one of the games most dramatic moments, the Mariners won three games at home to beat the New York Yankees and advance to the ALCS. The sale also included the Phoenix Mercury and Arizona Rattlers. The Mariners won the tiebreaker game 9-1 and clinched their first ever trip to the playoffs.

In April 2004, the Phoenix Suns were sold to an investment group headed by tycoon Robert Sarver for $401 million dollars. A September winning streak marked by late-inning comeback wins, combined with a losing streak by the Angels, opened the way for the Mariners to tie the Angels for first place on the last day of the season. After the trade, the Suns continued to struggle, but the trade opened up opportunities for some of the Sun's young rising stars. In mid-August, the Mariners were 13 games behind the first-place California Angels. Convinced that the team was going nowhere, the Suns made a blockbuster mid-season trade involving Stephon Marbury and Penny Hardaway. An early-season injury to Griffey seemed to doom the 1995 season. Following one of the worst preseasons in Suns franchise history, the Suns got off to a rocky start in the regular season. By 1995, the Mariners had added a core of strong players built around center-fielder Ken Griffey, Jr., pitcher Randy Johnson and designated hitter Edgar Martinez.

In the 2003-2004 season, the Suns again found themselves out of the playoffs. Prior to the 1993 season, the Mariners hired manager Lou Pinella, who managed the Cincinnati Reds to a 1990 World Series win. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2002-2003 season, during which the Suns posted a record of 44-38 and returned to the playoffs. Though it was the team's best season, it was only good enough to end in fifth place. His size and athleticism, along with a strong work ethic, have many anticipating him to join the ranks of Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Garnett as the best NBA players to have jumped from high school to the pro ranks. In 1991, the Mariners had their first winning season, finishing 83-79. The 2002-2003 saw the emergence of Amare Stoudemire, who many have likened to future Hall of Fame power forward Karl Malone. His defensive ability, hitting power, and baserunning speed would begin to change the Mariners' reputation.

Lottery-bound, however, the Suns were able to draft Amare Stoudemire. Highlights of the early years included hosting the 1979 All-Star Game, Gaylord Perry's 300th career win, and promotions, such as "Funny Nose Glasses Night." In 1989, rookie centerfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. joined the team. That season marked the trade of Jason Kidd, partly due to a publicized domestic violence account where he slapped his wife, to the New Jersey Nets for Stephon Marbury. Despite having stars such as Alvin Davis and Gaylord Perry, the team gained a reputation for their poor performance. The Suns kept making the playoffs until the 2001-2002 campaign, when they fell short for the first time in 14 years. The Mariners were added to the American League in 1977, and were for many years perennial non-achievers. While this was going on, Johnson retired, but he attempted a comeback to try to help the Suns during the 2000 playoffs. They are in the Western Division of the American League.

Barkley was traded and the Suns began a downward spiral. The Seattle Mariners are a Major League Baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. He was also present to see his number retired in 2004. Peoria Mariners. Their feud has since been repaired, however, and Barkley appeared at a Suns home game in 2003. Inland Empire 66ers
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Everett AquaSox. In 1996, Barkley's relationship with Colangelo grew sour and they trashed each other publicly. San Antonio Missions.

The next couple of years saw the Suns waste 3 to 1 leads against the Houston Rockets and get eliminated by them both years. Tacoma Rainiers. They won 62 games that year, advancing to the NBA finals for the second time ever, where they lost in 6 games to the Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen-led Bulls. American League
. Former Boston Celtics member Danny Ainge was added to the mix and the Suns had a dynamic team that would be hard to stop. Pitching Strikeouts: 308 (1993) Randy Johnson. Hornacek was traded to Philadelphia in 1992 along with Andrew Lang for the flamboyant but productive Charles Barkley, probably a future Hall of Famer himself. Pitching Wins: 21 (2003) Jamie Moyer.

Kurt Rambis was added from the Charlotte Hornets in 1989, and the team caused a shocking upset by beating the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 games that season before falling to the Portland Trail Blazers in the western conference finals. Strikeouts: 176 (2002) Mike Cameron. In 1988, Tom Chambers came over from Seattle, Jeff Hornacek was signed, Dan Majerle was drafted with the 14th pick in the draft, which they obtained from Cleveland in the Kevin Johnson trade, and the team began a 13 year playoff streak. Hitting Streak: 31 games (2001) Ichiro Suzuki. It was in this trade that the Suns gave up popular power forward Larry Nance. Stolen Bases: 60 (1987) Harold Reynolds. That all began to change in 1987, though, with the acquisition through a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers of Kevin Johnson and Mark West. Triples: 10 (1987) Phil Bradley.

The next few years for the Suns weren't as good, as a drug scandal rocked the organization in 1987, and the franchise was having a hard time putting wins together. Doubles: 54 (1996) Alex Rodriguez. Game 5 was a triple-overtime classic that is considered by many to be the greatest game in NBA history. Runs: 141 (1996) Alex Rodriguez. They finished the season with 42 wins and 40 losses, but shockingly they beat the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors in the playoffs and went on to play the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, giving the Celtics a tough battle before falling in 6 games. Hits: 262 (2004) Ichiro Suzuki (Major League Record). In 1976, the year the movie Rocky was released, the Suns proved to be a real-life, basketball version of Rocky. Batting Average: .372 (2004) Ichiro Suzuki.

The brainchild of former Chicago Bulls assistant coach and Arizona sports magnate Jerry Colangelo, the Suns in the 1970s had mild success, combining the talents of such players like Dick Van Arsdale (The Original Sun), his twin brother Tom Van Arsdale, Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins, Len "Truck" Robinson, Alvan Adams, and center Neal Walk, who sadly, in 1974 had a car accident that left him paralyzed. Runs Batted In: 147 (1997) Ken Griffey Jr. The Suns came to the Valley of the Sun in 1968, but they have yet to win an NBA Title. They began with a victory over the Seattle SuperSonics on opening night. Home Runs: 56 (1997 & 1998) Ken Griffey Jr. The Phoenix Suns are a National Basketball Association team based in Phoenix, Arizona. Dave Valle. Amare Stoudemire. Dave Henderson.

Quentin Richardson. Rick Rizzs. Steve Nash. Ron Fairly. Shawn Marion. Dave Niehaus (1977-present). Joe Johnson. Mike Hargrove (2005-).

Cotton Fitzsimmons (coach). Bob Melvin (2003-2004, 156-168). Joe Proski (trainer). Lou Piniella (1993-2002, 840-711). 44 Paul Westphal. Bill Plummer (1992, 64-98). 42 Connie Hawkins. Jim Lefebvre (1989-1991, 233-253).

34 Charles Barkley. Jim Snyder (1988, 45-60). 33 Alvan Adams. Dick Williams (1986-1988, 159-192). 24 Tom Chambers. Marty Martinez (1986, 0-1 - Interim manager). 9 Dan Majerle. Chuck Cottier (1984-1986, 98-119).

7 Kevin Johnson. Del Crandell (1983-1984 93-131). 6 Walter Davis. Rene Lachemann (1981-1983, 140-180). 5 Dick Van Arsdale. Maury Wills (1980-1981, 26-56). Stephon Marbury. Darrell Johnson (1977-1980, 229-362).

Danny Ainge. 42 Jackie Robinson (retired throughout baseball). Cedric Ceballos. Omar Vizquel. Larry Nance. Dave Valle. Kevin Johnson. Kazuhiro Sasaki.

Jason Kidd. Alex Rodríguez. Neal Walk. Harold Reynolds. Jeff Hornacek. Ken Phelps. Anfernee Hardaway. John Olerud.

Rex Chapman. Jeff Nelson. Charles Barkley. Mario Mendoza. Dan Majerle. Tino Martinez. Jerry Colangelo. Edgar Martinez.

Connie Hawkins. Mark Langston. C - #43 Jake Voskuhl (UConn). Ruppert Jones. SF - #17 Paul Shirley (Iowa State). Randy Johnson. F - #46 Bo Outlaw (Houston). Rickey Henderson.

PF - #0 Walter McCarty (Kentucky). Dave Henderson. SG - #21 Jim Jackson (Ohio State). Carlos Guillén. C - #45 Steven Hunter (DePaul). Ken Griffey, Sr. PG - #10 Leandro Barbosa (Brazil). Ken Griffey, Jr.

PF - #32 Amare Stoudemire (Cypress Creek HS, Orlando, Florida). Rich Gossage. SF - #31 Shawn Marion (UNLV). Freddy Garcia. SG - #2 Joe Johnson (Arkansas). Alvin Davis. SG - #3 Quentin Richardson (DePaul). Julio Cruz.

PG - #13 Steve Nash (Santa Clara). Mike Cameron. Jay Buhner. Chris Bosio. 13 Carlos García (first base).

15 Jeff Newman (third base). 41 Jim Slaton (bullpen). 34 Bryan Price (pitching). 25 Don Baylor (hitting).

  9 Ron Hassey (bench). Coaches