A familiar feeling of disappointment swept over the Seattle Mariners' faithful as the team's hopes of advancing in the 2025 MLB playoffs were dashed.
The Curse of the Mariners?
On October 16th, with the score at 8-2 in the eighth inning, a young fan named Benji King and his parents decided to call it a night. "He's got school in the morning," his mother Mary explained. But here's where it gets controversial: should a die-hard fan ever give up on their team, especially when there's still a chance for a miraculous comeback?
Benji, only 10 years old, already understands the heartache of being a Mariners fan. "They get your hopes up and then...disappointment," he said, summarizing the team's history.
And he's not wrong. Since their inception in 1977, the Mariners have lost more games than they've won - a staggering 4,022 losses. They hold the unfortunate record of being the only team in Major League Baseball to have never reached the World Series.
But this year, there was a glimmer of hope. After taking the first two games in Toronto, the Mariners returned home with a chance to clinch the series. However, they dropped the next two games in front of sold-out crowds, dashing the dreams of their loyal fans.
Matthew Mounsey, a 22-year-old student, flew back from Austin to witness the ALCS games with his family. His 89-year-old grandmother, Sandy Gillis, has been a die-hard fan since the team's inception, and even rooted for the Seattle Rainiers before that. Gillis was on her feet for every pitch of the Mariners' 15-inning game against the Detroit Tigers, a testament to her unwavering support.
"It was incredible," she said, her voice filled with emotion.
This year marked the team's sixth trip to the postseason, ending a 20-year drought in 2022. Sophia Rice, 33, described the team as "hard to get invested in," but after a strong September, she and many others dared to dream.
Rice and her boyfriend, Connor Lawson, invested $700 in bleacher seats for Thursday's game, a testament to their hope. Even after two disappointing losses, they remain optimistic. If the Mariners make it to the World Series, Rice plans to fly back for those games, a true testament to the power of hope and the unwavering support of a fan.
And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about winning. It's about the journey, the hope, and the unwavering support of fans like Benji, Matthew, Sandy, Sophia, and Connor.
So, is it time to give up on the Mariners? Or is there still hope for a World Series run? What do you think, readers? Is it ever okay to give up on your team, or should you always hold out hope for a miracle? Let us know in the comments!
