Mariners End Two-decade Drought, Clinch First AL West Title As 2001
SEATTLE – The Seattle Mariners are AL West champions for the first time since 2001, securing the title Tuesday with a victory over the Colorado Rockies. A jubilant clubhouse festivity followed,fueled by beer and Champagne,though players emphasized this is merely a prelude to their ultimate goal: a World Series championship.
The Mariners’ victory ends a 21-year wait for a division crown, a period marked by near misses and a longing to add to the franchise’s last three AL West titles – achieved in 1995, 1997, and 2001. The team’s success is a testament to a five-year rebuilding process and recent strategic acquisitions, culminating in a team poised for deep postseason contention.
“as a catcher, you come off the field ultimately, you’re mentally and physically exhausted,” catcher Wilson said. “For him to do what he’s done offensively and to do what he does behind the plate, I honestly don’t think we’ve seen this before. I think he’s the MVP, no question.”
the team acknowledged the weight of history,referencing the 2001 team and the banners hanging in right field commemorating past successes. General Manager Jerry Dipoto expressed his joy for the players, staff, and the association as a whole, as well as the dedicated fan base. “We were talking upstairs about how fun it’s going to be to see them raise that banner and I hope there’s a couple more titles on it before it goes up there,” Dipoto said.
This year’s Mariners team is built around the power of Cal Raleigh, the dynamic play of Julio Rodriguez, and a strong starting pitching rotation, bolstered by the additions of Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez. They’ve established themselves as a legitimate force in the modern postseason landscape.
“We might as well go win the whole (expletive) thing,” raleigh stated, encapsulating the team’s aspiring mindset.
