The Seattle Mariners finally ended their 21-year playoff drought with a walk-off win, and it couldn’t have been scripted better. Tied game in the ninth, two outs, Cal Raleigh at the plate. After working the count full, Raleigh stayed alive by adjusting to a series of sliders. On another 3-2 pitch, he dug out a low slider and sent it into right field for the game-winner. The stadium exploded, and Raleigh soaked in the moment as he rounded the bases. By the time he hit second, the weight of the drought and the win hit him hard.
The dugout celebration was wild. Julio Rodríguez, Logan Gilbert, and the rest of the team waited for Raleigh at home. Luis Castillo nailed a perfect gum toss, launching a bucket into the air like confetti. Ty France tried the dump-it method and missed his target, covering Adam Frazier instead. Eventually, they crowned Cal with the gum bucket. It was chaotic and perfect. His bat flip was clean, his helmet toss high, and nobody got hurt. Then came hugs, chest pounds, and a round of congratulations.
Manager Scott Servais made his way through the team, with a mix of hugs, hat pulls, and almost-handshakes. The players pulled out a handmade “We Did It” sign in the middle of the celebration. It was messy, full of joy, and long overdue. A homegrown group finally dragged the franchise back into October baseball.