The Seattle Mariners were one of the coolest stories of the 2022 MLB season.
After spending 22 years without a postseason appearance, the franchise was able to end the painful drought after a rock-solid 90-72 season.
They finished 16 games behind the Houston Astros in the AL West, but they keep gaining ground year after year, little by little, step by step.
Both teams faced each other in the American League Division Series, and while the Astros won and swept, the Mariners held late leads in the first two games and managed to take play 18 innings in Game 3.
Like the rearview mirror says: objects are closer than they appear, and this may apply to the Astros.
They may be a lot better still, but things got hairy for a few moments for them in the postseason while facing the Mariners.
In any case, it will be a year to remember in Seattle.
After making it to the postseason (on a walk-off home run by catcher Cal Raleigh, no less), manager Scott Servais and his players had an emotional meeting.
The Mariners Impressed In The Playoffs
He said, among other things, that the playoffs wouldn’t be easy and his players better be ready.
“We got it”, they yelled before starting to celebrate with bottles of champagne.
Still one of my favorite Mariners moments of the year 😭 GENO. pic.twitter.com/rYCRcSFgQC
— Sami Jarjour (@SamiOnTap) October 22, 2022
And they were ready.
They knocked out the Toronto Blue Jays in Canada, in just two games, after a furious comeback win in Game 2: they were down 8-1 at one point, yet won it anyway.
Then, the Astros series took place: they were a couple of outs away from winning Game 1 before Yordan Alvarez‘s walk-off homer.
In Game 2, Alvarez’s blast came in the sixth inning to give the lead to the Astros.
A single run would have given the Mariners the win in Game 3, but Jeremy Pena was the one coming through with a homer in the 18th frame.
The Mariners are good, and they will be even better in 2023.
Their time is coming.
NEXT: The Mariners Share A Stat Highlighting A Magical 2022