Everyone is already trying to force Mariners fan favorite status on Brendan Donovan

Spring training is here, with hope and anticipation fresh in the Seattle (and Peoria) air for the Mariners and their fans. And even more so this year following a 2025 season which saw the M's get closer than ever to their first ever World Series appearance, before having it cruelly smacked away.

Helping this renewed sense of optimism, which is arguably at its highest since 2002 following the 116-win season a year earlier, is the recent blockbuster trade for Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals. This is understandable, given that the All-Star is an invaluable utility player also capable of vanquishing the woes of last season's issues in the leadoff spot.

However, factoring in the saying that perception is reality (thanks to Brock Huard for that one), you could be forgiven for thinking that the Mariners are getting a little bit too carried away in their attempts to tell the world just how wonderful Donovan is. He reported to spring training on Wednesday, and there were plenty of quotes by other players about what a gamer he is.

Brendan Donovan can do no wrong with his new teammates

A lot of the established members of the Mariners media are already in Peoria putting in the work (and they really do an amazing job), which includes being there to hear all about the Mariners' recent signing from his new teammates. As per Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports, fellow new Mariner Andrew Knizner said:

"Donovan’s a guy that has unmatched work ethic. His commitment to preparation is one of the best I’ve seen. It’s a guy that just puts his head down and just goes after it day in and day out. I think that’s something that the Mariners fans and obviously the guys on the team will really respect and love about him is just he’s a grinder."

Andrew Knizner

It didn't stop there, with the Mariners' clubhouse leader and last year's AL MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh also raving about Donovan and what he brings to the organization. As per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, Raleigh said:

"I think he complements our lineup really well. He's what we needed to add to this team -- that type of player. And obviously sad seeing some of the other guys walk out, but knowing what we needed and having to add and making our lineup deeper with different types of hitters, that’s a big add."

Cal Raleigh

For Seattle sports fans of a more cynical nature, this kind of love-in possibly brings back memories of when Seahawks Legion of Boom legend Richard Sherman once mockingly made reference to former head coach Pete Carroll's kumbaya meetings. Either way, Donovan wasn't about to disagree with what the likes of Knizner and Raleigh said about him:

Again referencing Huard's aforementioned saying, on the one hand people can quite easily perceive this as Donovan and his new teammates almost trying too hard to make Donovan a new fan favorite in Seattle. That you can HEAR the try-hard in the 2018 seventh-round draft pick.

Mariners fans will see for themselves soon enough

On the other hand, you can't blame other Mariners players for talking positively about Donovan. It's not as if they're going to rip into him. (Not that we have any reason to believe any of them thinks negative about the 29-year-old anyway.)

Similarly, the media wouldn't be doing their job if they didn't ask the Mariners players about Donovan and report on what's being said about him. The Seattle scribes have a duty to let M's fans know what's happening with the 2022 Gold Glove winner, with those same fans eager to obtain any information they can about him.

Overall, you can appreciate that Donovan's objective is to win the respect of his new teammates, with him undoubtedly wanting to fit in rather than stand out on a team which had a really good chemistry last season. Ultimately, no matter how many positive things he or the other Mariners players say, it's all about showing what he can do on the field, with actions often speaking louder than words.