Mariners fans are all too familiar with a certain feeling - disappointment. On October 16, 2025, as the Seattle Mariners faced the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALCS, many fans, like Benji King and his family, made the difficult decision to leave the game early. With the Mariners trailing 8-2 in the eighth inning, the Kings realized that their 10-year-old son would benefit more from a good night's sleep than from staying to witness a potential ninth-inning comeback. This is a common occurrence for Mariners fans, who have become accustomed to the team's annual cycle of raising hopes and then leaving fans disappointed.
The Mariners' history is marked by more losses than wins, with a record of 4,022 games lost since their inaugural season in 1977. They hold the eighth-worst record in Major League Baseball and are the only team never to have reached the World Series. Despite their struggles, the Mariners have made only six postseason appearances, with their last playoff run in 2022 ending a 20-year drought.
For fans like Sophia Rice and her boyfriend Connor Lawson, the Mariners' rocky first half of the season was followed by a sparkling September that sparked hope for a potential championship run. This hope was enough for them to invest $700 in two bleacher seat tickets for the Thursday game. However, even after two disappointing games, their optimism remains intact, and they plan to travel to Mexico City for the World Series if the Mariners make it that far.
The Mariners' inability to consistently perform and reach the World Series has led to a sense of cynicism among fans. Matthew Mounsey, who flew back from Austin to attend the ALCS games with his parents and 89-year-old grandmother Sandy Gillis, reflects this sentiment. Gillis, a long-time Mariners fan, has been supporting the team since its minor league days, but the team's lack of success has made it challenging to maintain enthusiasm. The Mariners' history of disappointment has created a cycle where fans become invested, only to have their hopes dashed year after year, leaving them questioning their loyalty and commitment.
