Dennis Berg has been going to Seattle Mariners games for as long as the team has been in Seattle. He’s attended every opening day since their inception in 1977, when the Mariners played in the Kingdome. His Major League Baseball obsession goes back to the short-lived Seattle Pilots, who played one season at the now-demolished Sick’s Stadium in South Seattle before moving to Milwaukee.  

Berg and many long-suffering Mariners fans have much to celebrate. Last week the Mariners won the American League West and qualified for the MLB playoffs for the first time since the 2001 season (they also reached the postseason in 2022 as a wild card), the same year the Mariners tied the modern-era MLB record for most wins in a regular season with 116 victories. “Being a Seattle fan, we’ve been let down so many times,” Berg says. “You have to take it with a grain of salt. But no doubt, these are exciting times for Seattle sports fans. It makes Mariner baseball fun again and now with a chance to go to the World Series.”  

The Mariners’ success has also translated to a rise in civic pride and economic impact. “Whether you’ve been waiting since 2001 for this playoff berth or you’ve just joined the excitement of this historic season, the Mariners are the pride and joy of our region,” says King County council chair Girmay Zahilay, a 2024 Seattle magazine Most Influential honoree and candidate for King County executive. “Their success has filled our region with energy, uniting fans across backgrounds and generations and boosting our local economy as people pack into T-Mobile Park and surrounding neighborhoods to celebrate.”  

Cal Raleigh led the Mariners with a league-best 60 home runs and 125 runs batted in.

Photo courtesy of Seattle Mariners Facebook

The Mariners will host the winner of the wild card series between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians, starting this Saturday at T-Mobile Park.  

The Mariners are led by catcher Cal Raleigh and center fielder Julio Rodriguez. Raleigh, a leading candidate for American League Most Valuable Player, was first in the league in home runs (60) and runs batted in (125), and finished second in runs scored (110) and walks (97). His 60 home runs shattered the records for most home runs by a catcher and most home runs by a switch hitter in MLB history. “Catcher is not the home run hitting position,” Berg says. “(Raleigh) has turned that around. It’s also the respect he commands and how he is taking care of everybody. He’s just, you know, he’s like the new folk hero. There is always a lot riding on Cal’s shoulders. He sets the tone for the team.” Raleigh does carry a lot on his shoulders and, according to former teammate Jarred Kelenic, on his backside too. That’s how he wound up with the nickname “The Big Dumper.” 

Rodriguez became the first Mariner in history to make the 30-30 club (hitting at least 30 home runs and stealing at least 30 bases) multiple seasons. The dynamic Rodriguez hit 32 home runs, stole 30 bases and drove in 95 runs. His .267 batting average is tops among Mariner regulars. Mid-season trades brought Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez, boosting an inconsistent offense hitting a pedestrian .244 for the season, ranking 20th out of 30 MLB teams. Of the post-season teams, only the Guardians are hitting for a lower team average, .226 to rank 29th during the regular season.  

Shortstop J.P. Crawford anchors the infield defense while hitting a respectable .265 with 12 home runs and 58 runs batted in. Leadoff hitter and left fielder Randy Arozarena has made the most of his .238 hitting average, leading the team in doubles (32), adding 27 home runs, stealing 31 bases, and scoring 95 runs. Designated hitter Jorge Polanco contributed a .265 average with 26 home runs and 78 runs batted in.  

Right-handed pitcher Bryan Woo (15-7 won-loss record during the regular season) leads a deep pitching staff. His 15 victories during the regular season ranks fourth in the American League, while his 2.94 earned run average ranks fifth in the league. Closer Andrés Muñoz saved 38 games during the regular season, second most in the American League.  

Much of the credit for the Mariners’ success this season goes to manager Dan Wilson and hitting coach Edgar Martinez, both former Mariners players. Wilson, a catcher, and Martinez, a third baseman and designated hitter, played on the 2001 record-setting team. They also played on the previous three Mariner playoff teams, 1995, 1997, and 2000.  

Tickets to the first two home games on Saturday and Sunday at T-Mobile Park, as well as tickets to game five at T-Mobile Park (if necessary) are available via SeatGeek, MLB’s official fan-to-fan ticket marketplace. They’re also available at Ticketmaster, VividSeats and StubHub. Should the Mariners advance to the American League Championship Series, tickets will be available on the Mariners website.  

For baseball fans looking to watch the games in the company of strangers, sports bar options around the region are plentiful. The Mariners will be hosting watch parties during away games, as well as other activities throughout the playoffs to enhance the post-season fan experience.  

So, where will you be watching?