The Mariners have been better this year than anyone expected, other than our graphics wizard Tee Miller, who predicted the **checks notecard** “Maribers” would win the World Series. It is in victories that lifelong fandom typically is built. Even in Mariners fandom, which has a borderline Stockholm Syndrome-style relationship with losing, players with lifelong devotion have arisen from unlikely star turns. True stars like Félix Hernández don’t require the aid of consistent victory to grow their legend, but it never hurts. For role players, it tends to be crucial.
An excellent case study of this is not far back in Seattle’s history as Leonys Martín built a cult fandom in Seattle with decent play in 2016.