For all the grit, power, and late-season dramatics the Seattle Mariners have displayed in 2025, it was one of the quietest members of the roster who stole the spotlight on the night they officially punched their ticket to October.
Postseason clinches are often remembered for champagne showers, goggles, and the biggest names on the roster leading the party. But this time, it wasn’t only Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh, or the good vibes of Eugenio Suárez commanding the moment. It was Trent Thornton, a reliever who hadn’t thrown a pitch since July after tearing his Achilles. The raw emotion on the field wasn’t about the final score, it was about the bond of a team that refuses to let anyone be left behind.