Mike Campbell, a former Seattle Mariners pitcher and one of the organization’s top young talents in the 1980s, has died at the age of 61. The Seattle native was found dead Monday at his home in Kirkland, Washington, according to multiple reports. The official cause of death is pending investigation by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Michael Thomas Campbell was born on February 17, 1964, in Seattle, Washington, Campbell grew up playing youth baseball in West Seattle and later attended West Seattle High School and Newport High School in Bellevue. He went on to pitch collegiately for the University of Hawaii, where his strong performances caught the eye of major league scouts.
In the 1985 MLB Draft, the Mariners selected Campbell with the seventh overall pick, making him one of the highest draft choices in the franchise’s history at that point.
Campbell made his major league debut on July 4, 1987, for the Mariners and pitched parts of three seasons in Seattle. Over his 13-year professional baseball career, he appeared in 51 major league games with the Mariners, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, and Chicago Cubs, compiling a 12–19 record with 135 strikeouts and a 5.86 ERA.
One of the most significant moments of his career came in 1989, when he was included in the blockbuster trade that sent left-hander Mark Langston to the Montreal Expos and brought future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson to Seattle—a move that helped shape the Mariners’ future.
After retiring from playing following a final stint in independent leagues in 1999, Campbell stayed connected to the Seattle area. He entered the business world, co-running Shiskaberry’s, a dessert franchise known for candy-covered fruit, with his friend and former minor-league teammate Steve Towey.
The Seattle Mariners organization expressed deep sadness at the news, posting condolences and noting Campbell’s contributions as a hometown player who realized his dream of pitching for the team he grew up rooting for. Fans, former teammates, and members of the local community have also paid tribute to his life and career.
Campbell is remembered not only for his athletic talent but also for his warm personality and the impact he had on those around him throughout his life.