They are saying a Canadian winter may be harsh … October is seemingly extra so.
After a magical season, an electrifying playoff run and a Recreation 7 that held all the Pacific Northwest in suspended disbelief, the Seattle Mariners headed residence. To not the World Collection. To not a parade. Simply … residence. Their season, which shimmered with a lot hope, resulted in a surprising, virtually surreal loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
It hurts. And when you’ve been a Mariners fan lengthy sufficient, it hurts in a well-recognized manner.
This wasn’t speculated to be the 12 months it ended like this. The pitching employees was elite. Cal Raleigh was transcendent. Town was buzzing with perception in a manner it hasn’t since 2001 — the final time we got here even remotely this shut. And but, right here we’re once more, nursing the injuries of what might need been.
Recreation 7 might be dissected for years. The late-inning collapse. The questionable bullpen administration. The missed alternatives on the plate with runners in scoring place. The eerie silence that fell over T-Cellular Park within the remaining inning — in a stadium that had spent all evening on the point of eruption — was the sound of 47,000 hearts breaking in unison.
However this loss isn’t nearly one sport. It’s about many years of being informed to attend. Many years of rebuilding, retooling and reimagining. It’s about Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar, Ichiro — legends who by no means obtained to hoist a trophy right here. It’s concerning the promise of “subsequent 12 months,” a chorus that has change into a merciless lullaby for this fan base.
And but — in some way — we preserve exhibiting up.
That’s the half the nationwide media by no means fairly understands about Seattle. They’ll discuss our droughts and our collapses, however they miss the loyalty. The packed stadiums in April. The children in Julio jerseys. The idea that lives right here, regardless of all the pieces.
This crew was completely different. And so they should be. The core is younger. The expertise is actual. However make no mistake: Alternatives like this don’t come usually. This Recreation 7 will linger. It should hang-out. And it’ll outline how we measure the subsequent steps this franchise takes.
The entrance workplace owes this metropolis greater than apologies and platitudes. They owe us urgency. Aggression in free company. A refusal to be happy with “virtually.” As a result of this fan base? We’re uninterested in “virtually.” We’re prepared — greater than prepared — for a parade down Fourth Avenue.
So sure, mourn this loss. Really feel each ounce of heartbreak. However don’t confuse ache with pessimism. Seattle baseball is alive once more, and this metropolis gained’t accept one other 20 years within the shadows.
To the Mariners: Thanks for the experience. Now go end the job.
