The familiar sting of disappointment – a feeling deeply interwoven with the Seattle Mariners' history. It's a narrative that played out yet again on October 16, 2025, leaving fans grappling with a sense of déjà vu.
Picture this: T-Mobile Park buzzing with fervent energy for Game Four of the American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Mariners, after a triumphant start in Toronto, were now facing a daunting 8-2 deficit in the eighth inning. For some, like Benji King, a 10-year-old fan, the allure of a miraculous comeback wasn't enough to outweigh the practicalities of a school night. As Benji, accompanied by his parents Stephen and Mary, headed for the exit, he summed up the prevailing sentiment: "This is the type of thing the Mariners do every year - they get your hopes up, and leave you disappointed."
But here's where it gets controversial... Is Benji's statement too harsh? After all, hope springs eternal, especially in baseball. Or is it a brutally honest assessment of a franchise plagued by near-misses and unfulfilled potential?
The Mariners' history is a complex tapestry of fleeting successes and prolonged struggles. Since their inaugural season in 1977, they've accumulated a sobering record of 4,022 losses – the eighth-worst in Major League Baseball. More painfully, they remain the only MLB team never to have graced the World Series stage. These numbers alone paint a grim picture, but they don't fully capture the emotional rollercoaster Mariners fans have endured for decades.
Yet, the unwavering loyalty of fans like 22-year-old Matthew Mounsey, who flew in from Austin to attend the ALCS games with his family, including his 89-year-old grandmother, Sandy Gillis shows the dedication of the fan base. Sandy, a lifelong supporter dating back to the Seattle Rainiers (the city's former minor league team), embodies the enduring spirit of Mariners fandom. She was on her feet for every pitch of the Mariners' epic 15-inning victory against the Detroit Tigers in the Division Series, a testament to her unwavering passion.
And this is the part most people miss... The Mariners' journey to the 2025 ALCS was a testament to their resilience. It was only their sixth trip to the postseason in franchise history, with their previous appearance ending a painful 20-year playoff drought in 2022. This is not a team that is always expected to get far in the playoffs.
"They're a hard team to get invested in," admits Sophia Rice, 33. It's a sentiment echoed by many who have witnessed the team's inconsistent performances over the years. After a shaky first half of the season, a stellar September reignited the flame of hope, prompting Rice and her boyfriend, Connor Lawson, 33, to invest $700 in bleacher seats for Game Four.
Even after witnessing two disheartening losses, Rice and Lawson remain optimistic. They have plans to travel to Mexico City during the World Series. But if the unthinkable happens, and the Mariners defy all odds to reach the Fall Classic? "I'll fly back for those games," Rice declares, a testament to the enduring power of hope, however fragile it may be.
So, what do you think? Is it blind faith, or is there a legitimate reason for Mariners fans to believe that their team can finally break through and achieve ultimate glory? Is the history of disappointment too heavy a burden to overcome, or can the Mariners defy the odds and rewrite their narrative? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
