Clutch, Versatile Rich Amaral Returns to Seattle for Mariners 40th Anniversary

Rich Amaral, known for his versatility and a knack for timely hits, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to tonight’s 7:10 p.m. game vs. the Oakland Athletics.

Amaral, who played for the Mariners from 1991–1998, is returning to Seattle as part of the Mariners season-long 40th Anniversary celebration. In 1995, Amaral helped keep the Mariners in contention with an outstanding stint as a temporary replacement in center field for the injured Ken Griffey Jr.

“It’s pretty neat to think that I was on that team, a part of that group of guys that saved baseball in Seattle,” Amaral said during a pregame media session.

Amaral, a stand-out second baseman at UCLA, was selected by the Chicago…