Thirty-five years ago today, the Seattle Mariners played their first game at the Kingdom. They scored no runs, losing to the Angels, 7 to 0. In the interim, the Mariners have had only one year I’d call stellar—2001—and yet I remain a true-blue Seattle fan.
I attend a half dozen or so games a year, eat my fill of hot dogs and garlic fries, and don’t regret for a moment that Safeco Field is 160 miles away. If it were any closer, I might feel compelled to attend more often, and with ticket prices what they are, I’m already doing all I can afford to do to keep the grass neatly trimmed in the infield.
But a day at the ballpark is still a day at the ballpark, and unlike my friends who say they’d rather watch paint dry, I think attending a live game is a thrilling experience. I especially enjoy attending games in April and May, when the season is still up for grabs and any team—even my team—is in the run for the pennant.
It could be this year… Really, it could… We’ve paid our dues, so to speak, and I’m holding a good thought. And then, of course, I’m going to say “I told you so” to all my doubting friends. After 35 years, the Mariners are headed to the World Series!
Remember you heard it here first!
