Seattle prides itself on its sporting achievements: the Mariners are sending a record number of players to the World Baseball Classic, devoted Seahawks fans travel with the team, and local audio engineer Brynna Rodgers will make Super Bowl history.
Mariners to be well represented at the 2026 World Baseball Classic
Ahead of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) starting in March, it was announced that Seattle Mariners players will make up a sizable portion of participants in this prestigious international tournament. According to Seattle Sports, the club will be represented by a record sixteen baseball players, who will play for twelve different national teams. This is a significant increase from the previous 2023 tournament, when ten Mariners participated. Such a scale of representation underscores both the club’s growing international depth and its ambitions.
Among those taking part are key members of the Mariners’ core roster, which makes the tournament particularly important for Seattle fans. Star catcher Cal Raleigh and left fielder Randy Arozarena, left-handed reliever Gabe Speier, and rising center fielder Julio Rodríguez — they will all wear their countries’ colors. For Raleigh and Speier, this will be their WBC debut, while Rodríguez and Arozarena already have WBC experience. In 2023, Arozarena was one of the standout players, putting up an impressive OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 1.507 for Mexico, a number that reflects both his contact and power. His performance helped the Mexican team reach the semifinals.
In addition to core players, promising young talents from the Mariners’ farm system will take part. Infielder Michael Arroyo deserves special attention; he is ranked in MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects. Last year he helped Colombia qualify, showing strong hitting and base-stealing skills. His participation is a look to the club’s future. Also notable is pitcher Eduardo Bazardo, who, after breaking out in the 2025 season, will debut for Venezuela. For those unfamiliar: the WBC is the baseball equivalent of a world championship, organized with MLB involvement, where players represent their national teams, creating a unique atmosphere and high level of competition.
Having so many players involved is certainly a source of pride for the organization, but it also carries risks. The intensive WBC schedule, which begins March 5 and concludes with the final on March 17 in Miami, could affect players’ physical readiness for the start of the MLB regular season, which begins shortly afterward. This is especially true for pitchers, whose workloads need careful management. Nevertheless, for the players themselves it’s an opportunity to represent their countries on the world stage — often a childhood dream and an additional source of motivation.
Interestingly, in addition to current Mariners, many former players and athletes connected to Seattle will also participate. For example, Seattle native and two-time All-Star Corbin Carroll will play for Team USA. Among former Mariners on the lists are well-known names such as closer Edwin Díaz (Puerto Rico), pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (Japan), and infielders Eugenio Suárez (Venezuela) and Ketel Marte (Dominican Republic). That adds extra storylines and nostalgic moments for local fans.
Thus, the upcoming World Baseball Classic will be not only a global celebration of the sport but also a showcase of the strength and reach of the Seattle Mariners’ scouting system. The successes or failures of their players in this tournament could set the tone for the entire 2026 season, which, as noted in related coverage, begins with “very high” expectations. Fans will have a unique chance to see their idols in a different role — representing national teams and competing for their countries’ honor.
Seahawks fans on the road: the team spirit beyond the field
In professional sports, fans often become an integral part of a team’s story, and Seattle Seahawks supporters are a vivid example. A recent report from KIRO 7 News Seattle, available here, focuses on devoted fans who follow their team wherever it goes, turning away games into major travel events.
The video shows groups of Seahawks fans, decked out in the team’s navy and green, gathering in airports, at stadiums in other cities, and simply on the streets, creating a home-like atmosphere far from home. This phenomenon goes beyond ordinary fandom; it has become part of Seattle’s culture and its residents’ identity. Fans share stories of planning road trips to away games for years, turning them into family traditions or friend reunions. Their presence not only provides moral support for the team but also noticeably impacts the crowd noise, sometimes even outshining local fans. The piece features vivid shots capturing fans’ emotions — from joy after touchdowns to tense silence during decisive moments. One fan interviewed notes: “It’s more than just football. It’s a community that brings us together wherever we are.”
Interestingly, the piece opens with a small technical glitch or mismatch: it mentions performer Rong Niu (known as Red Panda) and her halftime performance at a basketball game in Miami, which, judging by context, doesn’t directly relate to the main story about Seahawks fans. That likely is a fragment from another article that accidentally made its way into the text. However, that doesn’t diminish the report’s main point — showcasing the unique phenomenon of traveling fans. For those unfamiliar: the Seahawks are Seattle’s professional American football team, playing in the National Football League (NFL), and their fans are known for their devotion and loud support, even earning the unofficial nickname “the 12th Man” for their ability to influence the game.
The key takeaway from the report is that passion for sport can create strong social bonds and erase geographic boundaries. Seahawks fans don’t just watch games on TV; they invest time and resources to be part of the live action, which strengthens the local community and promotes Seattle’s spirit nationally. This also has economic effects, as such travel supports the tourism sector in host cities. Over time, this fan culture enhances the team’s brand, making it more attractive to sponsors and new supporters. The report emphasizes that in an era when many events are consumed remotely, the live, shared experience of being in the stadium remains an invaluable way to unite people of all ages and professions.
Brynna Rodgers’ story: how a Seattle audio engineer made Super Bowl history
As the Super Bowl approaches, attention is not only on the players. For Brynna Rodgers, a broadcast audio engineer from Seattle, this week became historic — she became the first woman to engineer the radio broadcast of the year’s biggest game.
When the Seahawks Radio Network goes on air Sunday, Brynna Rodgers will be at the console. She is the broadcast engineer for the “Bump and Stacy” show on Seattle Sports 710 AM. The event marks a breakthrough in a field traditionally dominated by men. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Rodgers says. “Sometimes I have to stop, look around, and remind myself how cool this is and how few people get a chance like this.”
All season Rodgers has worked behind the scenes: adjusting sound levels, managing microphones, and ensuring seamless broadcasts, including during key playoff moments. For example, during Rashaad Shahid’s touchdown return, she could be seen in the background behind host Steve Raible. “You can see me shifting from foot to foot from excitement,” she recalled with a smile.
Her work is a balance of technical precision and quick decisions, often under stress. “I mix their mics, set the equalizer, add dynamics, apply compression and limiting,” Rodgers explains of the technical side of her job. For the uninitiated: an equalizer (EQ) adjusts the tone of the sound, compression evens out volume levels, and limiting prevents distortion — all crucial for a clear and pleasant-sounding broadcast.
The radio row at the Super Bowl, the annual congregation of national shows and sports media, is often compared to Grand Central Terminal — noisy and chaotic. But Rodgers’ presence stands out amid the bustle, challenging longstanding traditions. “It’s very hard for women to get into this field, and when you add the technical, STEM side, it’s even harder,” she notes. “I’ve managed to crack the door open. Now I’ll keep it open for everyone who follows.”
This step matters not only for Rodgers personally but for the industry as a whole. As KING5.com reports, her story inspires and shows that barriers can be overcome. Her success is a symbol of progress, proving that skill and passion know no gender, and that technical media professions are open to anyone with talent and persistence.
