SEATTLE — Excitement is building around the Seattle Mariners as fans packed T-Mobile Park on Wednesday, eager to see their team in action before the postseason.
The Mariners hosted an intrasquad scrimmage to stay sharp while awaiting the winner of the Detroit Tigers–Cleveland Guardians Wild Card series. Five thousand fans filled the ballpark’s lower level for the five-inning exhibition, and tickets for Thursday’s second scrimmage are already sold out.
Lines stretched around the block before gates opened, with fans hoping to catch a glimpse of catcher Cal Raleigh and the rest of the team. Among the biggest draws: Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki, who took the field in right.
“I’m excited to see Ichiro play in right field,” said Kathy Hall, a fan since 2005. Season-ticket holder Karen Geier called it “pretty darn cool.”
For some families, the event carried special meaning. Mary Tremayne of Arlington said her son Michael decorates his room with Mariners memorabilia and watches games alongside her.
“We put this [poster] up above his bed,” she said, looking for manager Dan Wilson’s autograph, to nearly complete the lineup from the 1990s.
While tickets to the scrimmage cost just $10, fans are already paying thousands for postseason seats. Geier said she’s spent around $3,000 on a strip of tickets. Others, like Seattle resident Stephen Coombs, are waiting.
“If [prices] fall a little, we’ll pull the trigger,” he said. “But I’m gonna wait a couple more days. I have a wife, a mortgage, and a new daughter.”
The team store also saw brisk business Wednesday as postseason merchandise went on sale for the first time. Mariners staff said hoodies and caps were among the most popular items.
Inside the clubhouse, players kept spirits loose by playing pool and video games while preparing for the postseason push.
The Mariners’ second scrimmage is set for Thursday at 5 p.m., with gates opening at 4 p.m.
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