UPDATE: The Seattle Mariners’ dreams of their first World Series appearance have crumbled just eight outs away. In a heart-wrenching finish, the Mariners lost to the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on October 16, 2023, marking an emotional end to a promising season.
After a thrilling playoff run, the Mariners were poised for glory but fell short in a dramatic showdown. “I hate to use the word failure, but it’s a failure,” Seattle star Cal Raleigh stated. “What we expected was to get to the World Series and win a World Series.” The sentiment resonates deeply with fans who had high hopes after clinching their first AL West title since 2001.
Seattle entered Toronto with a 3-2 series lead, needing just one more win to secure a place in history. The team took an early lead in Game 7, with Julio Rodríguez doubling to lead off the first inning and scoring on Josh Naylor‘s single. Rodríguez’s fourth postseason homer put Seattle ahead 2-1 in the third, while Raleigh extended the lead to 3-1 with his fifth postseason home run in the fifth inning.
However, the tide turned dramatically in the seventh inning. After replacing starter George Kirby with Bryan Woo, Mariners manager Dan Wilson made a controversial decision to bring in Eduard Bazardo. This move backfired when George Springer launched a three-run homer, propelling the Blue Jays to a decisive victory. “You make your decisions, and sometimes you have to live and die with it,” Wilson remarked about his decision-making process.
Seattle’s inability to secure a hit in the final four innings sealed their fate. The season ended with Leo Rivas, Dominic Canzone, and Rodríguez striking out against Jeff Hoffman in the ninth inning, leaving Mariners fans devastated yet hopeful for the future.
“I know this stings and there’s no question that it’s going to sting,” Wilson added. “It’s a special team in there. It’s a shame that we had to come out on the wrong side of this one.”
Despite the disappointment, the Mariners made significant strides this season, showcasing their potential and resilience. “All of us now have had a taste of how close we can get and how good this team can be,” Wilson said, emphasizing the team’s determination to return stronger next year.
With the Blue Jays advancing to their first World Series since 1993, the Mariners’ journey serves as a poignant reminder of the fine line between triumph and heartbreak in sports. As the dust settles from this intense playoff battle, fans and players alike are left contemplating what could have been and looking forward to next season’s possibilities.
