The Seattle Mariners

I was never that big into baseball growing up. As a kid, my grandfather would take me to baseball games, and I'd often grow restless and bored by the sport, and beg to go to the playground at then-named Safeco Field instead of watching the game. To my credit, I was a literal child - but today, I regret much of my active lack of care or interest towards baseball throughout most of my life.

As I watch the Seattle Mariners ascend closer and closer to the World Series - now, after last night's game, the closest they have ever been in the 48 years of the franchises' history - I am left thinking of my grandfather. He passed away in 2018, just shy of when I started to care about baseball, circa 2020, and then that interest skyrocketed post 2022 when we made the playoffs once again, for the first time in 21 years - and effectively my entire life, as I was born in 2000, one year prior to the last playoff's appearance of the M's.

My grandfather was a good man, a good grandpa, and an absolutely massive Seattle sports fan. He drove a - and I kid you not - a mariners blue P.T. Cruiser, with the Mariners compass logo on the back trunk, with a massive signature by Edgar Martinez. His office had more free bobbleheads than one could count. He had season tickets, a tremendous amount of merch - including a jacket I've been somewhat religiously wearing since we got into the playoffs. And he isn't here to see his team at potentially the best it's ever been, and his whole family watching and thinking of him.

I cried when Cal Raleigh hit a homer 3 years ago and sent the Mariners to the playoffs. I was choking up last night over Geno Suárez's grand slam that put us back into the lead for ALCS. Part of me doesn't even really particular care if we beat the Dodgers in the World Series, assuming we make it - I'll just be glad we're even there. I regret not bonding with my grandfather enough over baseball. But, I know that for the future, I will carry on his memory and love for this team.

It really isn't just about baseball - I don't think it'll ever be for me. And, I doubt my experience is unique amongst Seattleites. I have heard many people say that they wish their relatives were still here to watch this. In spite of that, we're here, we're watching, and hoping for the best. But, as a true mariners fan always is - a little skeptical of our team's actual ability to make it. I hope my skepticism can be proven completely wrong.

Go M's.