A Letter to Mariner Fans

Dear fellow Mariner fans,

I have to apologize for my absence from your ranks. With a website devoted to Seattle sports, it would seem obvious that I would have plenty to say about a team that finds new ways to disappoint. Unfortunately I don’t because – and here is my big admission – I haven’t been watching.

I am not sure what to think about my life transformation, but not only am I not watching the Mariners at this point, but….wait for it…..I am happy. Since the Detroit series at home where the M’s took two games out of three, I haven’t seen many innings of this frustrating Seattle club. I went away for the weekend and missed the Yankees series. I chose not to watch a Boston game because of other things I had going on. I watched part of the Indians game yesterday before Felix imploded. I simply haven’t seen much of this team lately. Yet I seem to be enjoying my everyday life a whole lot more.

I don’t get frustrated and feel unproductive at the end of three hours. I spend more time with my kid playing. I grade papers. I mowed the lawn. I don’t get emotional about this time when I simply choose not to watch. Yet I feel guilty. I always chastised the fair weather fans. Much of my identity is wrapped up in being a die hard fan. I created a website for Pete’s sake (that is a shout out to grandma Phyllis who loved that phrase). Who is Pete?

So what do I do? The simple answer is watch, but don’t get wrapped up in it. Easier said than done. I love the game and I love the Mariners. I have a hard time not getting emotionally invested. It also feels cheap to not care and then care again when they get good. These bad years are just building our emotional stamina for the good ones to come right? On the other hand, the Mariners have recorded only two winning seasons since 2003. The most games they won were 88 and that was in 2007. How long do we have to wait for a decent team to watch? How long I ask you? Dustin Ackley is supposed to be our stud hitter yet he is only batting .260. Ichiro is our leading hitter at .278. Felix has lost twice in a row while not putting up Felix numbers. Smoak is terrible. Montero, while I think he is good, isn’t putting up great numbers anymore at .244. I know batting average isn’t everything. I know I should be patient, but keep losing and they keep doing the same stupid stuff.

I plead for your understanding and I yearn for your suggestions.

Sincerely,
Brian M. Elsner
Frustrated and Now Happy Mariners Fan