Mariners crank the good vibes to maximum with special guest for playoff scrimmage

The Seattle Mariners are off until the American League Division Series begins on Saturday, but the two scrimmages they'll be playing at T-Mobile Park are clearly about more than just staying in shape.

First, it was super-prospect Colt Emerson joining the fun as part of the Mariners' playoff taxi squad. And now, it's the promise of seeing Ichiro Suzuki back in his old stomping grounds in right field. The Mariners announced on Wednesday that he will indeed be there:

This is how you know these scrimmages — set for Wednesday at 2 p.m. PT and Thursday at 5 p.m. PT — are as much for the fans as the players. Ichiro's age may be the same as his old number (i.e., 51) at this point, but the next person who objects to seeing him do anything for the Mariners will be the first.

And we're not gonna lie, we're genuinely curious to see what he still has in the tank. He's only been retired for six years, and we know for a fact that his arm is still an absolute cannon. He hit 84 mph on the gun with a ceremonial first pitch back on Opening Day.

Granted, it's doubtful that anyone will be trying to go first to third on Ichiro if a ball is hit his way. But just in case, there's still a simple lesson to be learned from Terrence Long: don't.

The Mariners are really leaning into their good vibes right now

There was obviously no downside for the Mariners in calling upon Ichiro to suit up for Wednesday's scrimmage. The worst he could have done is say no, and that doesn't seem to be a word he's capable of uttering to the organization. Even in retirement, the 2025 Hall of Famer remains as much a part of the fabric of the Mariners as their blue and green uniforms.

Beyond being a blatant bit of catnip for the fans, including Ichiro in this way also feels like a nod to history. The Mariners have been around for nearly half a century, and Ichiro is but one of many legends who have called Seattle home. Everyone knows the others and we all have our favorites, whether we're talking Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martínez, Randy Johnson or Félix Hernández.

What all of those guys unfortunately have in common, of course, is that not one of them won a pennant or a World Series in Seattle. It is a history that the Mariners want to put to rest, and this year's team is in prime position to do exactly that. According to FanGraphs, they are the favorites to represent the American League in the Fall Classic.

Yet as much as everyone wants the Mariners to indeed put nearly five decades' worth of hard waiting behind them, nobody wants to forget any of it. That history is a big reason why this year is feeling so special. It's part of this team.

And even if it's only for one day and in a meaningless game, it's pretty cool that this will literally be true once Ichiro takes the field at T-Mobile Park again.