Byron Mc Laughlin - Professional Career - Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners

On January 8, 1977, McLaughlin signed with the Seattle Mariners. On April 1, 1977, the Mariners loaned him to the Nuevo Laredo Mexican League franchise. At the time, the Mariners did not have a complete minor league organization. In the Mexican League that season, McLaughlin compiled a record of 18–13 with a 1.84 ERA and 221 strikeouts as his team, the Tescolotes, won the league championship. On September 11, 1977, he was returned to the Mariners. McLaughlin made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on September 18, against the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium. In 11⁄₃ innings pitched, he gave-up five hits, four runs (all earned), and struck out one in his only major league appearance that season.

McLaughlin split the 1978 season between the major leagues and minors. McLaughlin made his season debut with Seattle on April 25, against the California Angels. In that game, which also marked his first MLB start, McLaughlin gave up three runs (all earned) and struck out 10 in six innings pitched. He came away with the loss, which was his first MLB decision. In late June the Mariners sent him down to the minor leagues. With the San Jose Missions, who were the Mariners Triple-A affiliate at the time, he went 5–2 with a 3.50 ERA, and 52 strikeouts in eight games, all starts. Two of those starts were complete games. McLaughlin was called back up to the majors in July after pitcher John Montague was placed on the disabled list. McLaughlin's first major league win came on August 16, against the Baltimore Orioles. In the majors that season, McLaughlin went 4–8 with a 4.37 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 20 games, 17 starts. Four of his starts were complete games. After the 1978 season, McLaughlin pitched in the Mexican Pacific League, where he led all pitchers with a 1.05 ERA and 143 strikeouts.

In March 1979, McLaughlin re-signed with the Mariners. McLaughlin spent the entire regular season with the Mariners that year. He made his season debut on April 6, against the Cleveland Indians, where he pitched seven innings, and came away with a win. In mid-April, he missed a game after bruising his hand in his hotel room when he was practicing his pitching motion. McLaughlin earned his first major league save on June 6, against the Detroit Tigers. On July 3, he threw his only complete game of the season in a game against the Minnesota Twins. In August, McLaughlin missed a game to get married in Mexico. On August 14, it was reported by The Miami News that McLaughlin was carrying a .357 Magnum when he traveled. With Seattle that season, McLaughlin compiled a record of 7–7 with a 4.22 with 14 saves, and 74 strikeouts in 47 games, seven starts.

In 1980, McLaughlin started the season with the Seattle Mariners. In June, the Cleveland Indians were reportedly attempting to trade for McLaughlin and teammate Larry Milbourne in exchange for Bo Díaz. However, nothing ever came of the deal. With Seattle that season, he went 3–6 with a 6.85 ERA, two saves, and 41 strikeouts in 45 games, four of which were starts. Over his four-year tenure with the Mariners, McLaughlin had a combined record of 14–21 with a 5.10 ERA, five complete games, 16 saves, and 203 strikeouts in 113 games. Of those games, he made 28 starts and finished 47.