Special Bonds Between Seattle and the Seattle Mariners
Every city has something unique. In Seattle, it’s the Mariners. Their uniforms hang in local bars, their games are discussed in offices in the morning, and tens of thousands of people gather again at T-Mobile Park every summer. The team has long been more than just baseball.
How it All Started
The Mariners were founded in 1977. The first few seasons were tough, with the team fighting for survival. But in the 1990s, everything changed. Legends such as Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, and Edgar Martinez joined the team. They turned the Mariners into a real force to be reckoned with.
In 1995, the Mariners made the playoffs for the first time. Their victory over the Yankees in the decisive game of the series, with Martinez’s famous double, is still considered a turning point in the club’s history.
The 2001 season was the peak. With 116 wins in the regular season, Ichiro Suzuki was the MVP and Rookie of the Year, and the team played brilliantly and confidently. Everything came together almost perfectly, but they were stopped just one step away from the final.
Where Is the Team Now?
Today, the Mariners are once again building a serious team. The new generation of players looks promising:
- Julio Rodríguez is the face of the franchise, a young outfielder who is already
being called a new legend- Luis Castillo is one of the strongest pitchers in the league
- George Kirby and Logan Gilbert are the foundation of the rotation, steadily gaining form
In 2022, the team made the playoffs for the first time in 21 years. In 2023 and 2024, they came within a hair’s breadth, losing in the season’s final games. But the Mariners are on the rise again.
Why the Mariners are Essential to Seattle
This team doesn’t always get it right. But it’s always been its own. It embodies the spirit of Seattle. You don’t have to be the favorite to be loved. The Mariners show that proper support isn’t just when the team wins, but when it simply takes the field.
If the Mariners ever make it to the World Series, the whole city will remember it. Until then, we’ll just keep believing.