They did it. The Mariners made it to the playoffs for the first time in 21 years. This moment has been tremendously prayed for, hoped for, and sacrificed for by the people of Seattle, the people of Washington, and Mariners fans all over. The moment finally came. The moment the majority of Bishop Blanchet’s student body has been waiting for all their lives. They did it.

Not once, but twice. The Mariners were on a roll and the energy in Seattle was electric. “BELIEVE” is a Mariner’s saying, and recently, Mariner’s fans have meant it more than ever. It’s been 21 years since the Mariner’s have made it, and on September 30th they truly made it.  

On Saturday September 30th the M’s took on the Oakland A’s. In the bottom of the first Dylan Moore stole second to put him in scoring position while Ty France was up at the plate. Ty sent a line drive into left field for a double, sending Dyland Moore into home to put the Mariner’s in the lead. Then soon after, at the top of the second inning Mariners pitcher Logan Gilbert gave up a home run to Oakland’s Shea Langeliers. With some good hits and some great plays here and there, each team held each other all the way to the bottom of the 9th when it happened. When the magical, monumental moment happened that Mariners fans will remember forever. 

The long awaited moment finally came. Cal Raleigh, catcher for the Mariners pinch hit for Luis Torrens. It was the bottom of the 9th inning, 2 outs, 3-2 pitch, it was up to Cal. And what did he do? He ended the drought with one, mighty left-handed swing. Everyone in T-Mobile park was on their feet, holding strangers’ hands and praying for a miracle. The pitch came, everyone held their breath, and those few seconds of waiting were the longest seconds of Mariner fans’ lives. 

Then Cal flew that ball deep into right field. The ball moved right, right, and more right so there was a possibility of it going foul. But no, it stayed fair and Cal Raleigh hit a homerun to end the 21 year drought of the Seattle Mariners.

The stadium exploded. Drinks were flying, popcorn was flying, arms flailing, everyone hugging, fireworks going off, and everyone had the biggest smile on their face. The electric joy of the Mariners fans was unforgettable. The team, coaches, and managers were celebrating along with the rest of the stadium, on the field. Hugs all around, complete and utter joy. 

The team celebrated on the field, running around, jumping. Then after the celebration on the field, the team moved the party to the locker room. That’s where the real party really began. 

Dave Simms, an announcer for the mariners for over 15 seasons, made a great call that game, “THE DREAM LIVES they’re going to the playoffs THE DROUGHT IS OVER!!!” Along with Simms, Mariner’s other long-time announcer, Rick Rizz, said “STAY FAIR, HOLY SMOKES! He did it, Cal Raleigh with a walk off home run to win the game. Oh how sweet it is! The Mariners end the 21 year drought they are going to the playoffs! 47,000 fans are going crazy here at T-Mobile park”.

Seattle is still feeling the joy of that historic moment. The magic continued in Toronto where the Mariners made an incredible comeback against the Blue Jays. That was yet another historical moment for Mariners fans everywhere. One of the biggest comebacks in not only Mariners history, but playoff history as well. That moved the Mariners onto Houston where the magic moments began to fade. Instead of the Mariners having another big come back, the Astros did instead, it was painful to watch. 

The Mariners lost the first two games against the Astros and now it was game three, their final chance at remaining in the playoffs. The Astros came to Seattle for the 3rd game of the 5 game series. The stadium was packed and again, was absolutely electric. No one could have predicted how this game would go. 18 innings. That is jaw dropping in the game of baseball. Tied 0-0 the entire game, until the Astros hit a home run to win the game at the top of the 18th. 

Seattle is bummed, but the loss is not overriding the magical moments. The Mariners made it, they did it. No, they did not make it super far, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that after 21 long years, the Mariners were finally back. They made it.