Seattle Mariners unveil Legacy Plaza honoring iconic 2001 flag-raising moment
An iconic moment of national unity and sporting triumph after 9/11 has been turned into a permanent bronze statue at T-Mobile Park, as the Seattle Mariners unveiled a monument showing two of their legendary players carrying the American flag around the field. The monument, located just inside the stadium’s centre-field gate as part of the team’s newly opened Legacy Plaza, shows former outfielders Mike Cameron and Mark McLemore running with the Stars and Stripes after the Mariners won the American League West division title on 19 September 2001. The ceremony was held on 3 September 2026, before the Mariners’ home game against the Oakland Athletics, according to FOX 13 Seattle, Yahoo Sports and KIRO 7 News. The unveiling came nearly 25 years after the event that inspired the statue. Cameron and McLemore both attended the dedication, along with legendary play-by-play announcer Rick Rizzs, who served as the master of ceremonies. "That was the first night that baseball was back," McLemore said during the ceremony, as reported by KIRO 7 News. "So, to be able to share that with the fans and the rest of the country…it really means a lot to me." "Those are the memories that are always with me. But, especially on a day like today, they're all flooding back," McLemore added. Cameron also spoke about what the honour meant to him. "For them to choose us. It's just special, man," Cameron said, as quoted by KIRO 7 News.
Capturing a historic moment in Seattle sports history
The statue captures the night in September 2001 when Major League Baseball returned after the 11 September terrorist attacks. That year, the Seattle Mariners had a historic season and eventually tied the Major League record with 116 regular-season wins. On the night they secured the division title, Cameron and McLemore made an unscripted lap around the ballpark while carrying the American flag. The moment became meaningful far beyond baseball during a time of national mourning. Both players were pleased with how accurately the bronze statue represented them. "They did it good, man. They got him to the tee," Cameron joked about his former teammate, as reported by KIRO 7 News. "He's still got his batting gloves in his back pocket." "I can't complain a bit," McLemore said. "Got my stirrups right. All of it. Everything." Rizzs also spoke about why the moment remains important. "The spirit of that moment lives where we're all standing right now," Rizzs said, as cited by KIRO 7 News.
Interactive backdrop and youth baseball fundraising initiative
The installation includes a detailed backdrop made up of 116 wooden baseball bats, with each bat representing one win from the historic 2001 season. More than 2,000 personalised commemorative baseball medallions have also been placed throughout the plaza around the statue. Season ticket holders and members of the public could buy customised bats for $1,000 and medallions for $250, allowing them to add their own messages, according to Seattle Sports and The Seattle Times. Money raised from the sale of the bats and medallions will go towards the Mariners Legacy Field Projects. The programme supports the restoration and upkeep of youth baseball and softball fields across Washington state. In statements released by the organisation and reported by Seattle Sports, Mariners chairman John Stanton explained the wider purpose of the project. "2001 was a momentous time for our community and for the Mariners," Stanton said. "The new Legacy Plaza reflects the deep connection between the Mariners and our community, commemorating one of the most meaningful moments in team history, while reinforcing our commitment to creating opportunities for youth across the Pacific Northwest. " "The Legacy Plaza brings together our history, our fans and our commitment to the future of baseball and softball in our region," Stanton added. Cameron said supporting local sports facilities is especially important as the cost of youth sports continues to rise. "When I started playing, it was probably $10 or $20. And you paid for a hat, a belt, and some pants, and, obviously, you got your glove," Cameron said, as reported by KIRO 7 News. "But, now? It is so beyond that."
Expanding stadium monuments at T-Mobile Park
The 2001 flag statue is part of a larger effort by the Mariners to honour important players and moments from the team’s history. Earlier in 2026, the organisation unveiled a statue honouring Hall of Fame outfielder Ichiro Suzuki. Team officials have also confirmed that a statue dedicated to former Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Randy Johnson will be installed during the 2027 season, according to KIRO 7 News. The dedication came as the current 2026 Mariners team entered the final month of the regular season. The team is chasing a place in the postseason while remaining in the American League Wild Card race.
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