Celebrating the fans we've lost

The Mariners owning October would provide another reason to celebrate loved ones no longer with us.

Niko Tamurian - KOMO News

The Seattle Mariners just accomplished something that the team hadn’t done in 24 years - win the American League West division championship. A noteworthy feat for the only MLB club to never appear in the World Series.

Mariners fans are well acquainted with the organization’s struggles to reach the postseason. Seattle has played meaningful October games in five different years since its inaugural campaign in 1977 - just twice this century. But here’s the kicker, some oddsmakers have made the team a World Series favorite.

We all know that betting odds are designed to generate business and profit for gambling establishments. But this collection of Mariners possesses the talent to win the World Series. Whether it can capitalize on its loaded roster is unclear. After all, baseball can be so fickle - especially in the postseason.

The possibility of the Mariners playing in the Fall Classic for the first time in franchise history is fun to think about. But doing so tugs on my broken heart. My late wife Carrie has been gone for just over a year. She won’t be at my side sharing in whatever comes next for this fun collection of ballplayers.

Carrie would have delighted in the exploits of Cal Raleigh. Witnessing Raleigh smash single-season home run records for the catcher position, switch-hitters, and the Mariners franchise would have been tremendously entertaining for her. I mean, how often does a player get to surpass all-time greats like Mickey Mantle and Ken Griffey Jr. in the same year?

And let’s not forget Cal winning the Home Run Derby with his Dad pitching to him and his 15-year-old brother catching. It certainly would have thrilled Carrie. So would “The Big Dumper” starting in the All-Star game.

The notion of Raleigh beating out a New York Yankee for AL MVP would be so tantalizing for Carrie. There’s no doubt in my mind that, regardless of what the numbers said, she would have identified a half-dozen reasons why Cal deserved the honor over Aaron Judge. First and foremost, he’s not a Yankee.

Seeing four other Mariners - Julio Rodríguez, Randy Arozarena, Bryan Woo, and Andrés Muñoz - being selected as All-Stars would also have led to Carrie celebrating.

Rodríguez’s importance to the Mariners was never lost on Carrie. It wasn’t just his play that made him an endearing character to her. His constant smile and the boundless joy he’s demonstrated since becoming a Mariner in April 2022 mattered. So did his decision to sign a contract extension with the team. Carrie appreciated players who chose to remain in her city for the long haul.

Ever since Arozarena became a breakout star with the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2020 postseason, Carrie loved to exclaim “Randy Arozarena!” I do not know why, she just did. Getting to watch his flamboyant home run trot would have been must-see TV for her. Another plus in his column would be the Cuban constantly giving away baseballs to fans during games whether he’s in the outfield or in the on-deck circle.

Carrie understood that playing baseball is hard, especially when a player’s health is compromised. That’s why there would’ve been much respect for Jorge Polanco recovering from his injuries and bouncing back this year.

And every time J.P. Crawford did something great, “JAY PEE!” would be shouted in our house. Carrie appreciated the longest-tenured Mariner because she viewed him as a team leader who played with heart and soul.

Even though the starting staff scuffled for most of the year, Carrie would have remained a steadfast supporter. I suspect Woo would have been her favorite starter. That said, his last name would never be yelled in my house when he did something special. She always viewed Astros fans screaming “WOO” at games idiotic.

Carrie always appreciated a strong late-inning bullpen crew like Muñoz, Matt Brash, and Gabe Speier. Likewise, the durability and dependability of two unlikely relief arms - Carlos Vargas and Eduard Bazardo would have garnered respect. She understood that it took a village to preserve wins.

Eugenio Suárez returning to Seattle via trade in July would have energized my favorite Mariners fan. Suárez’s mantra of “Good Vibes Only” became a foundational theme during her two-year battle against cancer. Carrie said it often and with great conviction.

Thank you for that, Geno.

Speaking of trades, the July arrival of Geno’s Arizona Diamondbacks teammate, Josh Naylor, probably would not have initially moved the meter for Carrie. But Naylor’s productivity, tenacity, and knowledge of the game would have won her over. His base-clearing double in the postseason-clincher on September 23 would’ve sealed the deal.

VIDEO: Josh Naylor’s clutch double

Carrie enjoyed watching younger players grow up in front of her eyes. So, Ben Williamson, Leo Rivas, and 22-year-old Cole Young would have been new favorites. And let’s not forget Dominic Canzone. Carrie always chuckled whenever I mispronounced his last name saying “Calzone” instead.

Sorry, Dominic. I’m an idiot.

As for off-the-field stuff, Dylan Moore being released would have pained Carrie. She loved saying, “Dyly Dyly” whenever he hit a home run. But she also understood that moving on is part of the business of baseball.

The social media ugliness directed at Tayler Saucedo earlier this year would have enraged Carrie, as it did us. We should never tolerate people or accounts perpetuating hate. I should note that Saucedo embracing other Seattle teams earned him points with my bride.

And when it comes to superstitions, late-season moustaches and Etsy Witch spells would have been welcomed by Carrie. Whatever it took to beat the Astros, or “the cheaters,” as she called them.

I should note that our family lost another lifelong Mariners fan this year. Carrie’s father Mike passed away in January. One story his daughter liked to relay about him involved Opening Day 1986.

Mike wanted to beat the traffic, so he rounded up the kids and left the game early. Much to the chagrin of Carrie, they heard the radio call of Jim Presley hitting a walk-off grand slam home run in the bottom of the tenth inning on the way home. She never let Dad live that one down, which would always make me smile.

I suspect most of you are able to empathize with me because you’ve also lost someone who was a diehard Mariners fan like Carrie and Mike were. Perhaps a family member or a friend. A person in your life, who could never get enough of this baseball team regardless of its place in the standings.

And that brings us to this pivotal moment in Mariners history. As the team prepares for its Division Series against either Cleveland or Detroit, I’m hopeful this wonderful assortment of players and coaches can “seize the moment.”

That’s what Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki challenged players to do during a speech in August. The squad responded and now have an opportunity to bring a first-ever World Series title to the Emerald City.

And even though winning it all may seem inconceivable for some long-suffering Mariners fans, I’m willing to hop on the “Dare to Dream Express.” Like many of you, I want a chance to silently celebrate a championship with someone no longer here. Perhaps shedding a few tears while doing so.

Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

My Oh My…