The Mariners are in the playoffs. Writing that sentence is so gratifying.

As has been well stated, the last time the Mariners were in the playoffs was in 2001. In 2001, I did not exist.

The amount of time between Mariner’s playoff appearances has been well documented but I come before you today with one hope for you and me.

I hope we treasure this moment for a long time. I hope that each Mariners fan has the opportunity to pause all of our other worries at some point in the weekend and take it all in.

If you are in town at 7 p.m. on Friday, you should of course head to Bohler Gym to cheer on Cougar volleyball as former Coug Hannah Pukis returns to the Palouse wearing yellow and green instead of crimson and gray. Cougar volleyball deserves your support.

But if you’ve been waiting for this movement for any amount of time, 21 years, for many of us our whole lives, you deserve to be surrounded by the people you love in the places you love watching the team that you love.

College is so busy and we so often do not get to sit down and just watch baseball. But this weekend, take the time to do it because this team deserves it.

We know the names but let’s review. Who are the 2022 Seattle Mariners?

Ty France: France was an All-Star in 2022. He hit 20 home runs and turned in a respectable season. He is revered for his remarkable hitting which consistently sits above a .270 batting average. He is also hit by pitches at an alarmingly high rate because of how close he stands to the plate to put himself in a prime position to hit.

Cal Raleigh: Affectionately known as “The Big Dumper,” Raleigh struggled early on in the season. He turned things around and has since hit 27 home runs, the most of any catcher in the American League. He also provides reliable defense helping the M’s young pitching staff excel.

J.P. Crawford: Crawford is the captain of the team following the retirement of Kyle Seager, who the team fondly called captain. Crawford started the tradition of dancing after each win for the infield which led to the whole team taking part after they clinched their playoff berth

Eugenio Suárez: “Good Vibes Only” from Geno who is a fan favorite because of his clutch home runs, incredible defense and infectious personality.

Julio Rodríguez: The likely American League Rookie of the Year has taken baseball by storm. As an All-Star in Los Angeles, he hit a total of 81 home runs in the MLB Home Run Derby, the second-most ever! 

Through 162 games (as of the second inning of game 162) he has hit 28 home runs. Rodríguez has captured the hearts of Seattle as the bona fide face of the franchise after signing what could be a 17-year $470 million deal.

Robbie Ray: The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner has dazzled at times and disappointed at others. That said, expect for Ray to bring his A-Game as he led the Mariners in innings pitched (189) and strikeouts (212).

Logan Gilbert: Gilbert has absolutely dealt. He has a 3.20 ERA, which leads the Mariners and his 185.2 innings pitched and 174 strikeouts are second on the team. 

Luis Castillo: Castillo was acquired midseason from the Cincinnati Reds and has provided the spark that has sustained the M’s. Through eleven games he has 77 strikeouts, including two dominant performances versus the Yankees, one in New York and one in Seattle.

The Mariners travel to Toronto, Canada to face the Blue Jays in a best-of-three series. Their first playoff game in two decades will begin at 1:07 p.m. on Friday and will be broadcasted by ESPN. The Mariners are in the playoffs. Let us enjoy this moment!