SEAside Thoughts: Derby, Ohtani, the All-Star game, and a Week to Remember for Seattle

Seattle made a hell of a pitch to Ohtani

With numerous baseball stars missing the big game this year, the presence of Shohei Ohtani felt like Taylor Swift was in town. The greatest baseball player of our lifetime brought his otherworldly talents to the Pacific Northwest, and it was an opportunity for Seattle to let him know how much they want him in the blue and teal in 2024.

The Mariners fans were Lumen Field 12th Man loud, chanting for the inevitable 2023 MVP. In his exit interview, Ohtani spoke about those "Come to Seattle" chants: 

"“Never experienced anything like that but I definitely heard it.”"

- Shohei Ohtani

 Later in the interview, he would continue to speak highly of the city of Seattle and it's fans, 

"“Every time I come here, the fans are passionate. I’ve actually spent a couple off-seasons in Seattle, I like the city, it’s good.”"

- Shohei Ohtani

Between his wonderful experience in Seattle, and how well of a show the team and city put on for the league, you have to wonder how far up did the Mariners push themselves in the Ohtani sweepstakes. Alleged runner-ups in 2018, most pundits have Shohei joining the Dodgers in 2024, but no team has an opportunity like Seattle did this week.

At the end of the day, Seattle (and Julio) did the best they could. We'll see if it was enough, but I think we can all agree Shohei Ohtani in Seattle Mariners colors is as perfect of a baseball image you may ever see.