There’s a palpable energy in Seattle right now, and if you’re anywhere near the city—or the Watts Basketball gym—you know exactly what we mean. For the first time in 24 years, the Mariners are hosting an American League Championship Series game, and every conversation, street corner, and even the Watts Foundation classes are filled with excitement.
Locked In Like the Mariners
Host Donald Watts admitted he’s been so focused on working with the next generation of student athletes through the Watts Foundation and Watts Basketball, he almost hasn’t fully let the Mariners’ fever sweep him up. But like a true Seattle sports fan, he’s ready to be locked in when the first pitch lands.
“They’ve occupied so much of my life and attention”, he says, noting the thrill of that recent 15-inning battle.
Game time isn’t just for the athletes—it’s for us fans, too.
Rituals, Superstitions, and the Fan Experience
If there’s one thing athletes and fans share, it’s the little rituals around game day. Donald reflected on the difference between ritual and superstition: a ritual is “what you do to get yourself in a certain space and mode prepared for what’s coming,” like his tradition of taking a nap, drinking water, and watching film. Superstition, on the other hand, “is something you just don’t want to do because…you feel like they set you up for failure.” For Donald? No autographs before tip-off—a way to keep himself humble and hungry.
Fans have their own brand of superstition. Whether it’s wearing rally caps, putting shoes on their heads, or simply gathering in solitude to watch a big game, these actions are about sending energy to the players. Donald truly believes that “the city being galvanized…that focus, energy and all that stuff” really impacts the athletes: “You get a feeling of how much it means to your community. Then you get a purpose that’s greater within yourself.”
Why This Mariners Team Feels Different
This season isn’t just about raw talent—it’s about the character and chemistry in the clubhouse.
Donald calls out Polanco “He’s like Silence of the Lambs out there, man—just like this dude doesn’t blink!”, the intensity brought by Naylor, and Cal Raleigh’s grit behind the plate. Add Julio Rodríguez’s exuberance and a pitching staff with swagger, “Castile carries that attitude”, and you’ve got a team that’s feeding off the fans’ energy as much as fans are feeding off theirs.
Togetherness matters. “There’s a lot of teams where the teammates could give a damn about each other,” Donald says, but not this squad. Their brotherhood is infectious. And sometimes, those intangibles—the ability to truly care about your teammate—can matter more than any stat sheet.
Building for the Moment and Beyond
The foundation for this run wasn’t built overnight. Donald points to hiring Dan Wilson, a former player and catcher, and Edgar Martinez, as cultural touchstones in the organization—“prioritizing competitive feel and cultural connection over numbers and analytics.” And when Cal Raleigh publicly pushed for more investment, the front office listened and made the right moves.
Seattle fans have been burned before, and even the national media largely picked against the Mariners. But as A-Rod admitted, he’s picking the Mariners “with his heart instead of his head.” That says it all—this team is so inside their own moment, not worrying about the outside noise.
Seizing the Opportunity
The rallying cry now is to “seize the moment,” as Ichiro told the team after his jersey retirement. There’s been heartbreak before, and legends like Randy Johnson have voiced their regrets about falling short in a Mariners uniform. But now, the pieces have come together organically—strong pitching, gritty leadership, and a city starved for a championship.
So as Seattle gears up for game day, remember: Ask any athlete, and they’ll tell you the crowd’s energy is real. The rituals, the superstitions, the collective hope—it matters. It’s the heartbeat of Seattle sports, and it’s driving this magical Mariners run. Let’s enjoy every moment. Go Mariners!
For more sports insight and community stories, check out our latest episodes at ztwins.com and follow the Watts Foundation at wattsfoundation.org.