Patterson: All-Star Game was special for Seattle — and for me

It didn’t matter which direction I scanned my vision, I just couldn’t seem to locate a screen that told me how many outs there were.

Yep, row 23 of section 327 at T-Mobile Park sure gives you a different perspective than the press box.

Tuesday evening I received the rare opportunity to attend a sporting event not as a reporter, but as a fan. And while I may have had a few “get off my lawn” grumpy old man moments, Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game reminded me why I got into the sportswriting business in the first place.

I don’t go to many sporting events that aren’t work related these days — the combination of wanting to get away from my job during my down time and being the parent of a toddler will do that. But when my buddy Dave offered me a chance to join him for Seattle’s first All-Star Game in more than two decades, I couldn’t pass it up.

It was a perfect day for baseball: sunny and in the 70s. Getting to the park proved a breeze, as I hopped onto the light rail — free for All-Star festivities — and arrived at the park more than an hour before the scheduled 5:05 p.m. start. Clearly I wasn’t the only one who had a smooth commute to the park as the concourse was as packed as I’ve ever seen it, and a festive atmosphere pervaded throughout the park.

I was surprised at how local the crowd was, as I’d estimate at least 80% of the fans who were wearing team-affiliated gear were repping the Mariners. It ensured that the many Mariners legends in attendance, like Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez, received vociferous cheers any time they were acknowledged.

I inexplicably ran into not one, but two former Herald sportswriters as I slogged up the stairs to the 300 level — those are the seats sportswriters (and former sportswriters) can afford. So David Krueger, Cameron Van Til and I had an impromptu sports department reunion, and it was great catching up with two guys who had their fingers on the pulse of Snohomish County high school sports during their days with the paper.

Happened to run into a few friends on the way to the 300 Level 😲 #Heraldgang #AllStarGame2023 @CameronVanTil @NickHPatterson #WheresLommers pic.twitter.com/K203FL2K33

— David Krueger (@Krueger_David) July 11, 2023

I found my way to my seat and discovered we were literally three rows from the top, behind home plate. I was soon joined by Dave, who arrived separately, and I remarked that we didn’t need to worry about dodging any foul balls up here.

We didn’t get to our seats until after introductions had begun, so we’d already heard the loud boos anytime someone affiliated with the Houston Astros was introduced. While I understand the animosity, I feel it’s a little unfair to a guy like Dusty Baker, the affable Houston manager who wasn’t involved in the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, and was brought in specifically to clean up the mess.

The All-Star Game had an All-Star start as on the game’s second pitch American League right fielder Adolis Garcia made a leaping catch at the wall to rob Ronald Acuna Jr. One batter later it was a mirror image as left fielder Randy Arozarena made his own leaping grab at the wall to rob Freddie Freeman. Dave mentioned that Garcia and Arozarena are training partners because they came through the St. Louis Cardinals system together. Garcia now plays for Texas and Arozarena for Tampa Bay. I wonder what the Cardinals are thinking these days.

In the bottom of the first Shohei Ohtani came to the plate and immediately the “Come to Seattle” chants broke out as Mariner fans did their part to try and court the Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar, who is an impending free agent. There was even one fan sitting a few rows in front of us wearing a replica of the samurai warrior helmet the Angels place on the head of a player who hits a home run. While both Dave and I expressed skepticism about the Mariners’ ability to recruit Ohtani, what is the All-Star Game if not a chance to dream?

Later in the game another chant broke out when Oakland’s Brent Rooker came to the plate, with the fans shouting “Sell the team” in reference to the A’s impending relocation to Las Vegas. I did not have, “Fans’ loudest chants are for AL West rivals,” on my All-Star bingo card.

As the game progressed and starters were replaced by reserves, I had to admit to myself that I had no idea who some of these players were. A hitter/pitcher matchup of Geraldo Perdomo vs. Michael Lorenzen? Elias Diaz hitting the go-ahead two-run homer for the NL in the top of the eighth? During the Kingdome days I would have been able to recite these players’ stats. Today I can’t even tell you which teams they play for.

Against all odds, the game set itself up for a storybook ending when Kyle Tucker walked with two out in the bottom of the ninth — the only time an Astro received a cheer all night — bringing hometown hero Julio Rodriguez to the plate. The man who electrified the T-Mobile crowd a night earlier, when he broke the Home Run Derby single-round record by blasting 41 in the first round, would walk it off if he connected one more time. The entire crowd got on its feet as chants of “Ju-li-o” rang around the stadium — finally a chant about a Mariner. It seemed like half the fans in front of me had their phones out hoping to capture video of a magical moment.

Alas, Rodriguez held up on a 3-2 fastball from Craig Kimbrell for ball four, extending the game but depriving the crowd of a euphoric conclusion. Kimbrell struck out the next batter, Jose Ramirez, to bring the game to an anticlimactic end as the National League prevailed 3-2. That guy I’d never heard of, Diaz, ended up being named the MVP, receiving the award well after most of the fans had filed out of their seats.

Dave and I parted ways, I joined the masses headed back to the light rail station, and the wait gave me a chance to reflect on the evening. You know, it’s never been easy to be a Mariners fan. It was 15 years before the team finished with a winning record. Seattle’s reached the postseason just five times in 47 seasons, and the Mariners have never gone to the World Series, let alone won it.

So when special moments arrive they are precious, and this was a special one for Seattle baseball. Even for a grumpy sportswriter like me.

Follow Nick Patterson on Twitter at @NickHPatterson.