The Seattle Mariners have been a cornerstone of the sports scene in Seattle, as evidenced by the full light rail before and after games; Mariners jerseys and their team colors being mainstays in a Washingtonian’s wardrobe; and murals celebrating the city’s home baseball team. 

This mural walk highlights three Mariners murals in Sodo, all within walking distance of T-Mobile Park, the home stadium for the Mariners. T-Mobile Park has been the site of many historic moments for the team, including the 1995 season when the Mariners won their first American League Western Division championship in a tiebreaker game, then beat the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series.

More recently, the Mariners earned their playoff spot after winning a home playoff game for the first time since 2001, marking the beginning of what could lead to their first World Series appearance — and hopefully their first World Series win.

Sodo Mariners mural walk

Round trip: 1.5 miles 

“Griffey” (1064 Fourth Ave. S)

Start near the corner of Fourth Avenue South and South Royal Brougham Way, where you’ll find a mural of Ken Griffey Jr. reaching up to catch a ball that appears to be on the verge of flying over the building. This shot is an homage to Griffey’s celebrated home run catch in the 1990s. This mural covers most of the wall, so cross the street to get the best view possible. Griffey was the first Mariners player inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the first Mariner to have his number retired by the organization, #24, which can be seen on the back of his jersey in the mural. This piece was created by artist Jeff “Weirdo” Jacobson, who has been painting walls around Seattle and the Pacific Northwest for years and partnered with the Seattle Mariners to bring this mural (and others you’ll find on this walk) to life. 

“SEA US RISE — J.P. Crawford” (1702 Fourth Ave. S.)

To get to the second mural, go down Fourth Avenue South for two blocks. Cross South Massachusetts Street, and the mural will be on your left (but crossing the street will give you a fuller view of this mural covering most of the wall). This large-scale mural features the words “SEA US RISE” next to player J.P. Crawford, who is wearing a textured gold chain and is ostensibly saying the name of this mural out loud. Artist Alexander “A.CODD” Codd created this mural in partnership with the Mariners to celebrate Crawford receiving a five-year extension. When it was being painted, Crawford even came by one afternoon to throw paint balloons at the wall to create the splatter effect that you’ll find on the right and left edges of the mural.

Since he was born and raised in Seattle, being commissioned by the Mariners to create this mural was a full-circle moment for A.CODD.

“I always told myself, especially early on in my art career, ‘All it takes is one,’” he said. “[This mural] was ‘that one’ for me.”

“Seattle Sports Heroes Hall of Fame” (1521 First Ave.)

To get to the third mural, continue down Fourth Avenue South until you reach South Holgate Street, where you will turn right. Continue 0.2 miles and turn right on First Avenue South. Go one block up, cross Massachusetts Street and arrive at the next mural on the right, also done by artist Weirdo. He often creates art with a hyper-realistic style, and this mural is no exception. 

This one features Hall of Fame athletes Walter Jones, Jack Sikma and Edgar Martinez from the Seattle Seahawks, the Seattle SuperSonics and the Mariners, respectively. Martinez, known as the best designated hitter in Major League Baseball history, was inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2007. His legacy persists in Seattle, as evidenced by a street being named after him. 

At the end of the mural, you’ll find a portrait of SuperSonics superfan Kris Brannon, who was often seen carrying a sign that says “Bring Back the Sonics” in an effort to bring the former Seattle NBA team back. Each panel brings in the colors of the team they represent, including familiar shades of teal and blue for the Mariners. The entire mural’s scale is a testament to the reach of these athletes.

Ken Griffey Jr. Statue (1250 First Ave. S.)

Half a block up, you’ll cross Edgar Martinez Drive South and arrive at T-Mobile Park on your right. While there aren’t murals, you’ll find large-scale photos of players, as well as the Griffey bronze statue on the corner of Edgar Martinez Drive South and First Avenue South. In this statue, Griffey is seen wearing his 1997 uniform from his American League MVP award-winning season and is poised at the end of his swing. 

You can continue along First Avenue South to find large-scale posters of various players like Matt Brash and Crawford. If you attend a Mariners game at T-Mobile Park, you’ll find even more art pieces, including paintings, prints, photographs, murals and sculptures that celebrate baseball, local legends who have shaped the sport and the history of the team.

Return to the starting point

To return to your starting point from the statue, continue along Edgar Martinez Drive South and go along the stadium, over the bridge and down the stairs, which should lead you to Fourth Avenue South. Continue up Fourth Avenue South and arrive at the first mural. With that, you’ve completed the mural walk.