Hello and welcome back to the Friday Feedbag where I will never feed you slop. How about some chum (salmon), though? Just kidding. But we are going to talk about the hate it or love it phenomenon of the Seattle Mariners Salmon Run mascot race today.
Starting in the 2024 season, the Salmon Run instantly became a fan favorite in-game entertainment feature at Mariners homes. And then, famously, the salmon who had never won a single race, Humpy, won for the first time during the SECOND Salmon Run race during the 15 inning ALDS game five versus the Tigers. Then the Mariners also won the game, punching their ticket to the ALCS. It was a quite a moment. Yes, both.
The Mariners in-game production crew then made a grave error which can only be attributed to desperation and the unfamiliar state of being in the national spotlight as they allowed Humpy to win the Salmon Race AGAIN during a non-elimination game in the ALCS when the Mariners were losing. It did not have the same effect as the previous Humpy win and the Mariners lost that game and went on to lose to the Blue Jays in seven games.
So, enough about the past. Let’s talk about the future. Get in the mindset of a WWE promoter or Hollywood script writer. How would you script the 2025 Salmon Run season? Who’s winning the most races? What interpersonal beefs arise? Is Humpy ever allowed to win again?
As a reminder, your cast of characters:
Have a good weekend, be safe, and be kind to your fellow humans out there.