Field Day

STARRY EYED: This morning I had to head to the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle for a meeting about taxes. Not usually the most fun thing to do, but as  luck would have it, I was listening to local sports talk radio right before I left, and heard breaking news that the Seattle Mariners were hosting a "SeguraFest" party at Safeco Field during the lunch hour. 

The event was a promotion to bolster Mariners' shortstop Jean Segura's campaign to win the last American League spot on the Major League Baseball All Star team.


As I was already going to be driving by the stadium in that time frame, I simply *HAD* to stop in.

After my meeting, I piloted the Honda to the Safeco Field garage, where parking was free for the occasion - hooray! I walked to the stadium, solo, as Christian and the kids  are still gone camping, but was soon caught up in a wave of Mariners blue fans. We entered the stadium through a VIP gate, and were ushered through a fancy lobby with lots of memorabilia I would have loved to stop and stare at. However, we were being urged along by Mariners employees, urging us to vote on our phones while we made our way to voting stations on the field.

Guests were directed to enter through the exclusive Diamond Club area, and then were ushered to the stadium's "basement," where there are a series of tunnels.

Fans were directed to head down the umpires' tunnel, toward the field. 

 The 'basement' walls are filled with Mariners' legends. 

 Finally, some (day)light at the end of the (umpire) tunnel!

It was a beautiful day at the ballpark! The scene nearly took my breath away, truth be told. I;ve been there countless times as a fan, but I'd never set foot on the Safeco Field grass before!

 The big screen had a non-stop series of #SendSegura-related Tweets displayed.

 Ooh, what's that over there on that table? ... Looks like a small stack of t-shirts. ...

Sure-enough, I came away with one (of the few) Send Segura shirts given away today, as well as some arm bands and a Send Segura sign!

The t-shirts have been seen all over these last few days, from an Alaska Airlines flight ... 

This L.A.-bound @AlaskaAir flight is DEFINITELY ready to #SendSegura. 🛫

🗳️ https://t.co/Q16mvWsAww#TrueToTheBlue x @AlaskaAir pic.twitter.com/mbKPVsubSC

— #SentSegura (@Mariners) July 10, 2018

to the charter the Mariners took down to Los Angeles, to play the Angels. (Photo below is from the Seattle Mariners' Twitter account.)

I waited in line between first and second base for a bit, waiting to get to the voting stations near the shortstop spot, where Segura plays.

 Standing behind second base and staring toward home was kind of surreal.

Soon, marketing staff for the Mariners asked people to gather for a group shot.

I took that opportunity to skedaddle over to the voting stations!

Tablets were set up, all ready for us to cast our votes for Jean. Speaking of Jean, Jean, the Hitting Machine Segura, I *loved* that David Bowie's Jean Jeannie was playing over the Safeco PA while I waited.

 I voted three times on site (adding to the couple hundred times I voted at home).

We exited through the visitors' dugout. People were thrilled to get a chance to check that out, myself included.

 I should have sat and stayed awhile.

And the really good news? Our efforts paid off! It was announced this evening that Jean Segura won the final spot on the All Star team! 

He joins fellow Mariners Mitch Haniger, Nelson Cruz, and Edward Diaz on the team. Go Mariners!
Not gonna lie, I actually had a lump in my throat as I was standing on the sidewalk just outside of the stadium as I exited. I realized that I haven't allowed myself to get my hopes up about the Mariners for so, so long.

I've always loved the Mariners, but frankly, there has been no JOY in it for so long now.

This year is different. No matter what happens from here on out this season, 2018 will go down as the year joy returned to Seattle baseball. And for that, I am grateful.