Are the Mariners Positioned to take over Seattle sports?

The Seattle Mariners are one of the up-and-coming franchises in baseball due to their young talent on the way. Baseball America ranked the Mariners as the best farm system in baseball. The young core that Jerry Dipoto has put together is certainly impressive, including players such as Julio Rodriguez, Jarred Kelenic, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Noelvi Marte, and many more. On top of all the youngsters on the way, the team is coming off of a 90 win 2021 season.

The M’s did not break their long playoff drought, but they had a better season than anyone thought, and they started to draw the attention of Seattle sports fans down the stretch. Jarred Kelenic and other players asked fans to come and fill every seat for the final series against the Los Angeles Angels. The fans responded and there were sellouts for the first time in a long time at T-Mobile park.

The Mariners are clearly on an upward trajectory, and it is coming at a great time for them. The Mariners have the most upward trend in Seattle sports. The Seahawks missed the playoffs and had a 7-10 record this year, and there is lots of uncertainty about their roster going forward. Russell Wilson is also not a guarantee to stick around next year, leaving Seattle fans in doubt.

The Kraken came into the Seattle sports scene with lots of fanfare, but they have been a disappointment because they have been one of the worst teams in hockey. They have a record of 15-27, and not a whole lot going right for them at the moment. On the college front, University of Washington athletics are not performing up to recent standards.

The M’s on the other hand, went 90-72 last year, and appear poised to make the playoffs for the first time in over 20 years. If the Mariners can have a good year and make the playoffs in 2022, it is very possible, if not likely that Seattle sports fans focus more of their attention on the Mariners and start going to games more, watching more games, and buying more merchandise. It would be great to see this happen in Seattle.

It would truly be great to see Seattle become a Mariners city and a baseball city again. I have not experienced this in my lifetime since I was born after the last time the M’s made the playoffs. I have never seen a Mariners playoff team, and there are many more people now 20 years old and younger who do not know what an M’s playoff game looks like. I certainly hope that the team can ascend to a new level of greatness and make the playoffs for the first time in over 20 years.