Mariners extend historic 48-year curse no pro franchise has experienced after Blue Jays blunder

Hunter Cookston

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Mariners extend historic 48-year curse no pro franchise has experienced after Blue Jays blunder image

The MLB Playoffs have been a thrill, and now only two teams remain. The Toronto Blue Jays advanced to the World Series after defeating the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the ALCS. Toronto battled adversity throughout the series, falling behind 2–0 and then 3–2, but ultimately came out on top — because in October, it’s the first to four wins. George Springer delivered the decisive blow in the bottom of the seventh inning.

“The inning opened with a walk by Addison Barger and a single by Isiah Kiner-Falefa, with No. 9 hitter Andres Gimenez laying down a sacrifice bunt. Springer, who suffered a badly bruised knee in Game 5 in Seattle, stepped up and drilled a 1-and-0, 96-mph fastball off Mariners reliever Eduard Bazardo into the seats,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote.

After the game, Springer was asked about the iconic moment and admitted that he went into a full blackout.

“I knew I got the guy in from third, which was all I was trying to do and then I started to watch the outfielder," Springer said. "I watched what happened and I sort of blacked out after that."

The Mariners were on the other side of this special moment for the Blue Jays. Seattle had several chances to close out the series but couldn’t get it done. After Monday’s loss, the Mariners remain the only team in any major American professional sport that has never reached a championship round.

“This will be the 48th World Series since the Mariners began play in 1977. They haven't played in any of them. No other MLB/NBA/NFL/NHL franchise all-time has gone that long to begin the franchise's history without reaching the championship round while remaining in the same city,” Opta Stats posted.

There’s no doubt the ending to this fairytale season is absolutely heartbreaking for Seattle. But history has never been on the Mariners’ side.

The roster is talented and capable of breaking the curse, but it may take a little magic for the breakthrough to finally happen. The Mariners now face a long, painful offseason knowing they were just one game away.

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Contributing writer

Editorial Team