Generations unite as Seattle Mariners push for first AL pennant berth since 2001

Two hours before the first pitch of Game 1 in the American League Division Series (ALDS), the sidewalks outside T-Mobile Park pulsed with anticipation.

Classic ’80s hits spilled out from Hatback Bar & Grille as fans lined 1st Ave S. in SODO in the October air — the kind of crisp, electric breeze Seattle hasn’t felt in nearly a quarter-century.

Among the crowd were Scott Kim and his 17-year-old son, Brayden, who walked shoulder to shoulder toward the ballpark, decked out in white, cream, and blue Mariners jerseys. They waited a long time for this.

“Oh, I’m super excited,” Brayden said with a grin across his face.

For the first time since 2001, the Mariners have entered the postseason as division champions. After years defined more by heartbreak than highlights, Seattle is finally back in the playoffs, and for the Kims, it was more than just a game.

Scott explained that he talks about the game with his son.

“How the pitches are going, how the batters are approaching a certain at-bat,” he said, but they also use that time to catch up. “Then we’ll talk about school. We’ll talk about life, his girlfriend.”

Brayden was born seven years after the Mariners last won the AL West. His first memorable Mariners moment came watching Cal Raleigh smash home runs in this year’s derby on his TV. A live playoff game with his dad is different.

Playoff atmosphere electric in Seattle

“Sitting with my dad at the ballpark is something to treasure,” Brayden said. “It’s just quality time. And something really special.”

On the concourse, the familiar call of “Cold beer! Ice cold beer!” echoed between the food stalls. Fans in vintage Griffey jerseys and Julio Rodríguez tees shuffled to their seats. Among them was 49-year-old Mike, who was spending the night with his 74-year-old father, Dale.

“My brother’s not here,” Mike admitted with a smile. “He’s pretty jealous.”

But for Mike, that just means more one-on-one time with dad, something increasingly rare and all the more valuable during a playoff run.

“I’ve been a fan, high water or low,” Dale explained. The two have long lost count of how many national anthems they’ve stood for or how many seventh-inning stretches they’ve shared. But this one was different.

“Especially during a championship series,” Mike said. “It’s cool to be able to experience it and create memories together.”

As the game unfolded, the crowd swelled with every pitch. In the bottom of the eighth inning, as Julio Rodriguez rocketed a shot into left field, bringing in Cal Raleigh from second base for the go-ahead and game-winning run, the stadium erupted, strangers and families high-fived and hugged. And somewhere in the roar of the stadium, the real victory became clear.

“This is the first playoff run we’ve had since he’s been alive,” Scott Kim said, nodding toward Brayden. “To share it with him? I’m super excited.”

For a city starved of postseason baseball, the most meaningful win, perhaps, wasn’t on the scoreboard. It was in the seats, passed down between generations.

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