Baseball season is upon us, as most able-minded US citizens should now realize. This time of year always reopens old wounds on the hearts of most Mariner's fans. Let's face it...the team hasn't been on its A game for quite a few years. The fair weather fans have found sunnier pastures in other outlets....although not in the Pacific Northwest because Seattle has a corner on poorly performing sports teams. However, there are reasons to stick around. Call it false hope, nostalgia, or a sense of loyalty...here are 10 reasons why I hang around for more.
#10 Garlic Fries
You haven't arrived at Safeco until you can smell the garlic. Wash them down with a $7.00 lemonade (aka a glass of water with a lemon jammed in it) and you've got yourself a meal.
#9) Lou Piniella
I will forever stand by my belief that the year that they bring Lou back is the year that we win the Series. I love this man. Bad attitude and all.
#8) The Old Jerseys
Nothing I love more about the Mariners than Retro Throwback night....the Trident is so classic.
#7) A-Rod Hating
Lower than my tolerance for alcohol is my tolerance for sell-outs. The Yankees deserve you. Thank you for breaking my heart.
#6) Safeco Field
This place is a gem. Between the energy, the train whistles, the views of the skyline, the garlic smell wafting about, the planes flying overhead...I love everything about it.
#5) Seattle
This should be pretty obvious, but a lot of the charm of the team has to be attributed to the city. I have had a huge crush on the city of Seattle since I was a little kid. Spokane is its ugly step-sister, so it was always fun to head West and spend some time near the water and big skyscrapers. One of my favorite days involves scouring Pike Place Market, shopping at all the stores we don't have, eating seafood on the waterfront, and capping the night off with a little Mariner's action. It's so worth the $20.00 parking.
#4) Edgar Martinez
This man is a legend. I'm embarrassed to admit how big of a crush I have on a 50 year old married man who speaks broken English and needs someone else to run the bases for him. The man can hit. He has charisma. He is humble. Oh goodness. Hold me back.
#3) Dave Niehaus
My oh my. This guy is missed.
#2) 2001
To say I was obsessed with the Mariners in 2001 was an understatement. Edgar Martinez, Mike Cameron, Kazuhiro Sasaki, Joel Pineiro, Arthur Rhodes, Jamie Moyer, Dan Wilson, Brett Boone, Carlos Guillen, John Olerud....and that is me rattling those names off after 11 years. I'm a superfan. You pretty much can't ever top 116 wins. I don't know that I'd be any more impressed even if they had won the Series. Studs.
#1) 1995
I realize my top reason for loving the Ms is a year...but it is what started my love for them. I was 9 and just at the age that I could either choose to be a Mariner's fan or choose to be a loser. I chose correctly. Such an incredible year. When I found out Griffey was coming back to finish out his career with the Mariners I almost pooped my pants, because all I could think about was this scene right here.
So Mariners...try not to break my heart. But even if you do, I'll come running back for more next Spring.
Great list Dani!
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