Seattle was promised a franchise by CommissionerBowie Kuhn.[2] During the summer of 1975, there was speculation that theMinnesota Twins,Chicago White Sox, orSan Francisco Giants could move to Seattle. When none of these plans proved successful, the American League added a team in Seattle. With 13 teams in a league creatingscheduling problems, the league awarded a franchise toToronto over Washington, D.C. in March 1976.
Both Seattle and Toronto had purchased or otherwise acquired a handful of players shortly before the draft, but nowhere near enough to fill a roster (or even assemble a nine-man squad). Drafted players were selected only fromAmerican League teams, in keeping with the practices of the American League expansion of1961, theNational League expansion of1962, and the expansion of both leagues in1969. Beginning with the next expansion, in1993, the new teams would select players from teams in both leagues.
Danny Kaye, part-owner of the Mariners, announced the club's first selection.[3]
^This draft was limited to American League teams; while the American League andNational League are commonly referred to collectively asMajor League Baseball, across many decades, Major League Baseball has only existed as a legal entity since 2000.[1]
^Shortly after the draft, Carty was traded by Toronto to the Cleveland Indians forRick Cerone andJohn Lowenstein. Toronto later reacquired Carty, who played for them in 1978 and 1979.
^Thomas was traded by Seattle before the start of the season to theHouston Astros forinfielderLarry Milbourne. Seattle later reacquired Thomas, who played for them between 1983 and 1987.
^Broberg was traded in April (without appearing in a game for Seattle) to the Chicago Cubs for aplayer to be named later. The Cubs later sentJim Todd to the Mariners to complete the trade.
^Just prior to spring training, Weathers was traded by Toronto back to Oakland forRon Fairly.
^Iorg did not make a major-league league squad until 1978.
^Shortly after the draft, Anderson was sent by Toronto to the Chicago White Sox to complete an earlier deal made to obtainPhil Roof.
^Griffin did not make Seattle's major-league squad. He played in the minors through 1978.
^Barr did not make Seattle's major-league squad. He played in minors through 1978.
^Hooten was released by Toronto prior to the start of the 1977 season.
