M's fans rally despite U.S. military action

Perspective abounds during Seattle's loss to Texas in regular season finale

JOHN DODGE, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published October 8

SEATTLE -- Seattle Mariners fans worked Safeco Field into a playoff-like atmosphere during Sunday's final game, despite news that the attack on the Taliban regime and terrorist camps in Afghanistan was in full swing.

The Mariners lost 4-3 to the Texas Rangers, who robbed them of a chance for an all-time major league record of 117 wins.

Fans were quick to put a country at war and the Mariners' magical run in perspective.

"World events are far more important than the Mariners," offered Karen Pool of Renton as she caught a glimpse of the news about the United States and British attack on Afghanistan military and terrorist targets from a television near a Safeco Field concession stand.

This from a fan who followed the Mariners through spring training and attended a bunch of home games.

In the quiet moments before the game, Steve Broyles of Kenmore offered his thoughts.

"I was telling my dad this morning that I wish they'd put off the attack at least one day," he said. "I'd kind of like to just enjoy the game, then go home tonight, turn on the television to get caught up with the news and be supportive of the country."

Season ticket holder Christana Ahlers was determined to enjoy the final regular season game.

"It won't take away from the experience," she said of Sunday's military reprisals influence on the game. "But it is a thought in the back of my mind during the game."

Donna Hooker of Tacoma wore a small American flag in her Mariner's baseball cap, struggling with her emotions as a fan and a patriot.

"In a sense, the counterattacks don't take away from this game," she said. "The events of Sept. 11 woke up a lot of people. I was at the first game back after the attacks and it was very emotional. I cried all through the game."

During the game, the crowd acted both as fans and patriots.

They were loud and festive at appropriate times, erupting in the first inning when Ichiro Suzuki and Mike Cameron led off with back-to-back doubles, giving their beloved team a 1-0 lead.

They were somber and reflective at the seventh-inning stretch, as some in the sell-out crowd waved American flags while a Ray Charles rendition of "America the Beautiful" played.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, the sound of fans chanting "Ichiro, Ichiro" was bouncing off the stands. But Ichiro struck out, failing to ignite the type of rally fans have grown accustomed to all year.

The ninth inning saw the Rangers score the go-ahead run off reliever Jeff Nelson, another rare event that left the crowd subdued.

In their half of the ninth, the M's made three quick outs.

Hooker was among the majority of fans who stayed on their feet clapping and cheering the team after the regular season ended in an anti-climactic way.

At Manager Lou Pinella's urging, players filtered out of the dugout onto the field to wave at the fans, showing them appreciation for support this season that translated into a record attendance of 3,507,507 fans.

Then the fans and players said their good-byes, but only for one day.

On Tuesday, the Cleveland Indians come to town to another sell-out crowd of fans who will continue to balance their dual roles -- baseball fans in search of a World Series and Americans anxious for a victory over terrorism.

John Dodge covers the environment and energy for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5444.

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