‘A remarkable season’: Rizzs closes the book on a historic 2025 Mariners campaign

The Seattle Mariners finished its 2025 season with the deepest postseason run in franchise history, but fell to the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, one game short of a World Series berth.

Legendary Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs recapped how proud he is of the team, his favorite moment throughout the season, and what’s on deck for next year on “Seattle’s Morning News” on KIRO Newsradio.

“Oh, what a year. It was the best year on the field in the history of the franchise. But it came to a disappointing end a few nights ago in Toronto,” Rizzs said. “They were just so close they could touch it, and that’s the hard part to deal with. They were just one win away from playing in the World Series.”

Mariners finish among the top teams in the league

As Rizzs looked back on the Mariners’ journey towards the postseason and deep, hard-fought battle through it, he couldn’t help but take a moment to recognize the Mariners as one of the premier teams in baseball.

“At the very end of the year, the last few days of the season, there are only three teams left standing. The Mariners were one of those three teams, and I think we have to take a lot of pride in that,” Rizzs said. “It was a remarkable season by this baseball team, and one that I’ll never forget. A tremendous year by this baseball team.”

The Mariners’ 2025 season was filled with favorable moments, including Catcher Cal Raleigh’s record-breaking home run totals and Home Run Derby crown, and Gold Glove nominee Julio Rodriguez’s fourth straight 20 home run, 20 stolen base season, but one shining moment stood alone for Rizzs.

“Jorge Polanco’s base hit in the bottom of the 15th inning to win the Division Series and send the Mariners to the American League Championship was, in my mind, the biggest moment. It kept the season alive, you know?” Rizzs said. “47,000 fans going crazy in T-Mobile Park was so much fun. There were so many great moments this year, but that stands out.”

While the team heads toward a brief off-season and prepares to report for Spring Training in February, co-host Charlie Harger asked Rizzs if we will hear him back in the broadcast booth for the Mariners’ highly anticipated 2026 campaign.

“Oh yeah, oh yeah, I’m coming back. It’s been a great run, and the best thing that has ever happened to me was Dave Niehaus,” Rizzs said. “I got here in 1983 as a young broadcaster. David liked my tape, and it was the greatest thing in the world that happened to me. I got a chance to raise my family and grandkids here because of David,

“I’ve had an incredible run. I love this organization and the fans. The fans have been so great to meet,” Rizzs continued. “You’re talking to a 71-year-old guy who’s living his dream, and I hope everybody has a chance to say that someday about what they do for a living. I love this game, and yeah, I’ll be back.”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “Seattle’s Morning News” with Charlie Harger and Manda Factor weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. on KIRO Newsradio. Subscribe to the podcast here.