Seattle, WA

Can Seattle Mariners be next 2013 Seahawks or 2004 Red Sox?

Published

2 months ago

October 22, 2025

Can Seattle Mariners be next 2013 Seahawks or 2004 Red Sox?

Big games allow for lasting memories. Fans will forever remember this Seattle Mariners postseason run. Cal’s historic moments. The long wait rewarded in Game 5 against Detroit. The thrill of the first two wins in Toronto. And Geno’s grand slam, which put them in position to go farther than ever before.

Drayer: Where the Mariners are left after falling short of World Series

No one can take those memories away. They were real and they were spectacular. But, unfortunately, they will be superseded by the nightmare of George Springer’s prodigious blast, which ended this season before the ultimate goal could be reached.

The Mariners aren’t the first team to experience this kind of heartache. And, in fact, Seattle fans wouldn’t need to press too hard to remember a similar feeling.

The 2012 Seahawks seemingly came out of nowhere. Their ferocious defense was just starting to show what it could do and their rookie quarterback wasn’t generating a lot of respect. But the young members of the Legion of Boom and an offense keyed by Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch were hitting on all cylinders by the time the playoffs rolled around. Their December was very similar to what the Mariners just did in September; they won five straight games with three massive blowouts.

After dispatching with Robert Griffin III and Washington in the wild card round, the Seahawks were poised to beat the Falcons in epic fashion. Marshawn scored from the 2-yard line and the team was 31 seconds away from going to the NFC Championship Game.

We all know what happened next. The summer started early, the Niners went to the Super Bowl, and the Hawks spent the offseason trying (and eventually succeeding) to get to the next level.

In my own sports fandom, this one for the Mariners felt a lot like the 2003 Red Sox who lost Game 7 in Yankee Stadium after manager Grady Little left Pedro Martinez in way too long, and Aaron Boone walked it off a few innings later with a home run that I remember shutting off before it ever left the yard.

In fact, this one was even more similar because of the questions regarding the in-game decision making. Little was somewhat similar to Mariners manager Dan Wilson, a well-liked skipper who brought together people in the clubhouse and empowered them to succeed, but with some questions regarding his strategic decision making and comfort with the then-burgeoning field of analytical data.

Seattle Mariners’ Dan Wilson backs Game 7 bullpen decision

Both losses for the Seahawks and Red Sox were excruciating. Both felt a little like the end of the world and a little like the potential beginning of a new era. And both teams won championships the next season.

So can the 2026 Mariners be the 2004 Red Sox or 2013 Seahawks? That depends on them.

After the loss in Atlanta, the Seahawks went out and got Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett to augment their already impressive pass rush led by Chris Clemons and Bruce Irvin. The new duo combined for 16.5 sacks in the regular season and added three more in the playoffs. The numbers were great, but the personality, depth and intensity they brought to the team may have mattered even more. Signing them both in the offseason was the ultimate signal of belief from the front office to the players.

After 2003, the Red Sox hired Terry Francona as manager and acquired Curt Schilling. The former won them two titles and is now widely considered among the best managers of his era, and the latter won 21 games before becoming a postseason hero. Both were renowned for the leadership and dogged determination that helped break an 86-year curse just 12 months after that disastrous night in the Bronx.

As a fan of both teams in those moments, I can tell you the sting was similar. No Seahawks fan nor Red Sox fan at that time could tell you about seeing their team hoist a trophy. But a year later, I believe many (if not most) would say the victories tasted even sweeter after the horrible endings that preceded them. They would also say the organizations recognized how close they were to being at a championship level and made the moves to get themselves over the top.

The 2026 Mariners have some big decisions to make. As of today, Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suárez and Jorge Polanco (if he wants) are all free agents. As of today, the combined salary of the two Mitches (some $28 million) comes off the books as well. I think every single Mariners fan alive would prioritize signing Naylor. But there are lots of questions that follow.

Is J.P. Crawford back for the last year of his deal? What are you going to do in right field where Victor Robles never got untracked and Dom Canzone flashed in the season but fell flat in the playoffs? When will Colt Emerson be ready? Polanco is going to get a serious raise – do you want to be the one to pay him for his age 32 season and beyond? Are Cole Young and Ben Williamson ready to play every day at second and third base?

And do you have enough pitching? Improbably, it was that, the team’s greatest strength, that most fell apart in October.

The 2013 Seahawks and 2004 Red Sox are the models. But there is also a cautionary tale.

The 2016 Baltimore Orioles won 89 games, finished second in the AL East, but lost in a dramatic wild card game. Tied in the 11th inning, Toronto’s Edwin Encarnación took Ubaldo Jiménez deep while the O’s best pitcher, reliever Zach Britton, never entered that game. Sound familiar?

The following offseason, they did next to nothing. They re-signed Mark Trumbo (yikes), traded for Seth Smith, and that was about it. Not surprisingly, 2017 did not end well. The Orioles finished 75-87, dead last in the AL East.

Let me be clear, the M’s team we just watched is a whole lot closer to the Seahawks and Red Sox than to the Orioles. They have more talent, a better farm system, a younger roster and more opportunities ahead of them. They will take a few weeks to decompress, self-scout, and start to plan for next year. And hopefully this will be, as ESPN’s Jeff Passan said this week, more of a beginning than an ending.

It is entirely up to them.

More on the Seattle Mariners

• Passan: Mariners’ playoff run ‘a beginning, not an end’
• Mariners’ Cal Raleigh breaks one last record with 65th HR of 2025
• The real reason M’s lost ALCS is about more than a pitching change
• Morosi: Two decisions stand out from Mariners’ Game 7 loss
• What They Said: Seattle Mariners after losing ALCS Game 7

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Seattle, WA

West Seattle Junction Tree Lighting, Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, school open houses, much more for your Saturday

Published

7 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Press Room

West Seattle Junction Tree Lighting, Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, school open houses, much more for your Saturday

(Latest image from Junction traffic cam – remember Alaska will be closed east of here this pm)

Happy Saturday! We have another two-part event list – first part is a long list of seasonal happenings from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:

SANTA PHOTOS AND PANCAKES: Santa photos are part of what you’ll find at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle pancake breakfast, 7 am-11 am December 6th at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds) – details and tickets here. (If you miss your $8 online ticket, it’s only $10/door, youngest kids eat free;) Bring new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots!

SELFIES WITH SANTA: 8:30 am-11 am Saturday and Sunday mornings in December, DIY photos with Santa at CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor), donation requested for West Seattle Food Bank.

HOLIDAY SWAP SHOP: Bring, and get, toys at this swap, 9 am-noon at Keller Williams Realty (5446 California SW), presented by the Pearsall Team.

HOLIDAY GIFT POP-UP: 9 am-6 pm, handcrafted creations for sale. (4002 39th SW)

BAKE & CRAFT SALE AT THE KENNEY: Handmade and homemade items for sale, 10 am-4 pm. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

SHOP AT WEST SEATTLE RUNNER, BENEFIT STUDENTS: Part of the proceeds at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) 10 am-5 pm today will benefit WSHS Cross Country.

VIVA STUDIO TOUR ON VASHON: 10 am-5 pm each day, self-guided tour of Vashon artists’ studios. Info and locations at vivartists.com. (WSB sponsor)

PICS WITH SANTA AT HOLIDAY FOOD-DRIVE PARTY: 10 am-noon party at 5446 California SW – bring food and/or $ for West Seattle Food Bank.

FREE PET PICS WITH SANTA: 10 am-noon at Windermere in The Junction. (4526 California SW)

SANTA PHOTOS AND TOY SWAP: 10 am-1 pm at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd SW and SW Juneau), Santa photos by donation, toy swap open to all (and accepting dropoffs in advance), more info here.

WESTWOOD ART STUDIO HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Two-weekend group show and sale, 10 am-6 pm today, more info here. (9042 31st SW)

ARTIST POP-UP AT CAPERS HOME: 11 am-4 pm, you’ll find artists including Diane Kappa (WSB sponsor) at CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; also a WSB sponsor).

RAIN CITY CLAY HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Rain City Clay in Arbor Heights is hosting a holiday show & sale this weekend, featuring artists who work with clay. Hours today are 11 am-7 pm. (4208 SW 100th)

DIY SANTA PICS: 11 am-2 pm at John L. Scott in The Junction. Free; “well-behaved pets welcome.” (4445 California SW)

SANTA AT OUNCES: Free pics with the jolly ol’ fella 1-4 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)

TOYS FOR TOTS AT SEATTLE FIRE STATION 29: Drop off new, unwrapped toy(s) at Station 29 (2139 Ferry Avenue SW) between 2 and 4 pm.

JUNCTION NIGHT MARKET: Hometown Holidays Night Market on tree-lighting night in The Junction. See vendor list here! 4 to 8 pm.

JUNCTION TREE LIGHTING AND PERFORMANCES: Here’s the schedule for what’s happening besides the Night Market – remember that SW Alaska is closed east of California SW:

4:00 PM Festival begins. Night Market is open
4:30 PM Endolyne Choir
5:00 PM School of Rock
5:30 PM Pet Costume Contest
5:45 PM Metropolitan Singers (carolers)
6:00 PM Tree Lighting (with carolers)
6:15 PM Holiday DJ spinning tunes
8:00 PM Night Market closes

HOLIDAY BENEFIT CONCERT: Pearsall Properties presents live performances at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) 5 pm-8 pm.

CHRISTMAS TREES: As noted here, every place that sells them in West Seattle is up and running! Scroll through the Holiday Guide any time for the list.

ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, times vary. Tickets and info here.

(Friday sunset, photographed by Bob Burns)

And here are the non-holiday-season events for today, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:

‘KING TIDE’: 7:29 am, 12.9 feet – highest (predicted) high tide of the month; weather conditions can push it higher.

SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Launch your weekend with a community run! West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) leads Saturday 8 am free group runs!

FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free 9 am community meditation at Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska) – register here.

INTRODUCTORY WALK and WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 9:30 am, walk a mile as a prelude to the 10 am well-being walk (or just show up for that one). Both start from 47th SW and Fauntleroy Way SW.

EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-11:30 am, prospective families are invited to visit Explorer West. RSVP here if you can, (10015 28th SW; WSB sponsor)

TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: If you’re looking for an elementary school, come find out about Tilden School (4105 California SW; WSB sponsor) during today’s open house, 10 am-noon.

SSC GARDEN CENTER: The Garden Center at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW, north end of campus), is open 10 am-3 pm.

WHILE YOU’RE AT SSC … the Otter Pup truck’s soft open with coffee and sweet treats is scheduled to continue today, 11 am-2 pm. (6000 16th SW)

THE BRIDGE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Learn about the cooperative elementary school and join current families for play, 10 am-noon. (10300 28th SW)

MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.

FREE WRITING GROUP: In session again this week, 10:30 am, info in our calendar listing.

FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at High Point Library. (3411 SW Raymond)

GRIEFSHARE: Newest session continues, 10:30 am at Grace Church, no charge (10323 28th SW)

FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)

TALK WITH YOUR ANIMALS: Yes, you can! Find out how during this 11 am class at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska).

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open noon-4 pm on Saturdays. (61st SW and SW Stevens)

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)

POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Bonus monthly session, 12:30 pm-2:30 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)

VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open for you to enjoy wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: On the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus:

The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room, Wine Bar, and Retail Store are open Thursday-Saturday from 1-6 pm. Come taste and purchase our student-produced wine! The Northwest Wine Academy features a large tasting room and retail store. While tasting one of our current releases, you can request a tour of our barrel room and bottling area.

SUPER SMASH SATURDAYS: 1-10 pm at Fourth Emerald Games (4517 California SW, upstairs).

FREE MASSAGE: 3-5 pm walk-in clinic offering short, specific massages at Nepenthe. (9447 35th SW)

WRECK THE HALLS ROLLER DERBY: 5 pm pre-show, 6 pm roller-derby exhibition bout with Rainier Roller Riot and Bellingham Roller Betties’ Grit Pit, Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center) – tickets here.

‘PENELOPE’ AT ARTSWEST: West Seattle’s playhouse offers something different this holiday season – the folk-pop musical “Penelope,” with a 7:30 pm curtain; get tickets here. (4711 California SW)

COMMUNITY PAGEANT AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm, drag pageant for Miss, Ms., Mr., and Mx. Community – tickets here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

NERDLESQUE: 7:30 pm “burlesque for nerds” show with sci-fi theme, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 18+, tickets here.

LIVE MUSIC AT MR. B’S: 8 pm, Leafminer and Noe Navarro at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), no cover.

REVELRY ROOM DJ: Saturday spinning starts at 9 pm – tonight it’s DJ Topspin at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW).

KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Our Saturday list concludes with 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)

LOW-LOW TIDE: Flip side of king tides is low-low tides, and tonight at 11:43 pm the tide will be out to 3.8 feet!

Got a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Seattle, WA

High winds cause power outage affecting over 8K Seattle City Light customers

Published

19 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Press Room

High winds cause power outage affecting over 8K Seattle City Light customers

SEATTLE — Over 8,000 Seattle City Light (SCL) customers have reportedly been affected by outages on Friday evening due to high winds, SCL said.

As of 8:24 p.m., SCL reported 13 active events with 8,318 customers without power.

Seattle City Light is investigating the cause.

The outage can be tracked on this map.

As of 8:24 p.m., Puget Sound Energy reported 39 active outages with 3,355 customers impacted.

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This is a developing story, and KOMO News will update the information as it becomes available.

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Mariners announce 3 new hires to 2026 coaching staff

Published

1 day ago

December 5, 2025

Press Room

Seattle Mariners announce 3 new hires to 2026 coaching staff

The Seattle Mariners announced their 2026 major league coaching staff on Friday morning, which includes a trio of new hires.

The Mariners hired Carlos Cardoza as their third base coach, former M’s catcher Austin Nola as their bullpen coach and Jake McKinley as their major league field coordinator.

Salk: The emerging trade targets who best fit the M’s

Cardoza replaces Kristopher Negron, who was hired as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ bench coach. Nola replaces Tony Arnerich, who was hired as the Cleveland Guardians’ bench coach. McKinley replaces Louis Boyd, who is transitioning to Seattle’s assistant director of player development.

The rest of manager Dan Wilson’s staff remains the same following the club’s deepest playoff run in franchise history.

Senior director of hitting strategy Edgar Martinez, hitting coach Kevin Seitzer and assistant hitting coach Bobby Magallanes are back in the same roles for their second season together.

Seattle’s highly successful pitching brain trust also remains intact, with director of pitching strategy Trent Blank, pitching coach Pete Woodworth and assistant pitching coach Danny Farquhar all returning to their same roles.

Bench coach Manny Acta, first base coach Eric Young Jr. and longtime infield coach Perry Hill are back as well.

Cardoza spent the previous nine seasons as a manager in the Texas Rangers’ farm system, including the past three seasons as Double-A Frisco’s skipper. He managed Frisco to an 84-54 record in 2024, which was the best regular-season win percentage in club history. Following that season, he was named the organization’s 2024 Bobby Jones Player Development Man of the Year.

Nola is joining the coaching ranks after a six-year career as an MLB catcher with the Mariners (2019-20), the San Diego Padres (2020-23) and the Colorado Rockies (2025).

Nola made his MLB debut with Seattle in 2019 and then batted .306 over the first 29 games of the COVID-shortened 2020 season. He was then dealt to the Padres as part of a seven-player trade that sent two-time All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz, first baseman Ty France, catcher Luis Torrens and outfielder Taylor Trammel to the Mariners.

McKinley spent the past three seasons as the University of Nevada’s head coach. This past season, he guided the Wolf Pack to the Mountain West Conference regular-season title and was named the league’s coach of the year.

Prior to that, McKinley spent three years working in player development for the Milwaukee Brewers, including 2021 as their vice president of player development. In addition, he was the head coach at Menlo College (2014-17) and William Jessup (2018).

Seattle Mariners offseason coverage

• Bowden: Seattle Mariners ahead of the game entering winter meetings
• America’s team? Seattle Mariners the top trending team in 2025
• Notebook: M’s awarded extra draft pick, Naylor wins Canadian award
• Seattle Mariners announce FanFest will return in 2026
• How M’s will approach adding their young talent to contending team

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