For Seattle Mariners fans, hope is a familiar yet fleeting companion—and 2025 was no exception. Once again, the dream of a championship slipped through their fingers, leaving behind a bittersweet taste of disappointment. On October 16, 2025, as the Toronto Blue Jays dominated the Mariners 8-2 in the eighth inning of Game Four of the American League Championship Series (ALCS), the mood at T-Mobile Park was somber. Benji King, a 10-year-old fan, and his parents, Stephen and Mary, decided to leave early. "He’s got school in the morning," Mary explained, though the unspoken truth was clear: the game was all but lost. But here’s where it gets controversial—is it fair to blame the Mariners for crushing hopes, or is it the fans’ unyielding optimism that sets them up for heartbreak?
The Mariners’ history is a tale of resilience, but also of frustration. Since their inaugural season in 1977, they’ve lost more games than they’ve won—4,022 losses to be exact. They hold the eighth-worst record in Major League Baseball and are the only team never to have reached the World Series. Yet, their fans remain fiercely loyal. Take Sandy Gillis, an 89-year-old superfan who has rooted for the Mariners since their inception. Before that, she cheered for the Seattle Rainiers, the city’s minor league team. Gillis stood for every pitch of the Mariners’ 15-inning Division Series win against the Detroit Tigers, calling it "incredible." But this loyalty comes at a cost—the Mariners have only made the postseason six times in their history, including this year’s brief appearance.
And this is the part most people miss: the Mariners’ rollercoaster seasons often leave fans emotionally exhausted. Sophia Rice, 33, summed it up perfectly: "They’re a hard team to get invested in." After a shaky start to the 2025 season, the Mariners rallied in September, sparking hope that this could finally be their year. Rice and her boyfriend, Connor Lawson, even spent $700 on bleacher seats for Game Four. Yet, despite two disappointing losses, they remain hopeful—so much so that Rice is willing to fly back from Mexico City if the Mariners make it to the World Series. But let’s be real: is this unwavering optimism admirable, or is it a recipe for repeated disappointment?
Matthew Mounsey, a 22-year-old student, flew from Austin to Seattle to watch the ALCS games with his parents and Gillis. His dedication reflects the passion of Mariners fans, who cling to hope even when the odds are stacked against them. Yet, the question lingers: how much more can fans take? The Mariners’ 20-year playoff drought ended in 2022, but their inability to sustain success leaves many wondering if they’ll ever break the cycle.
So, here’s the million-dollar question: Are the Mariners a team worth rooting for, or are they a cautionary tale of unfulfilled potential? Let’s spark a debate—do you think the Mariners will ever turn their luck around, or is their fate sealed as baseball’s perennial underdogs? Share your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear from you!
