Overview of the news: fans picked an all-time Seattle Mariners team, a killer of a pregnant woman was found not guilty by reason of insanity, and the Portland Thorns earned an impressive win in women’s soccer.
Readers’ All-Time Seattle Mariners Team
Readers of a prominent publication picked who they believe deserve spots on a symbolic all-time roster for the Seattle Mariners. Ahead of the franchise’s 50th anniversary season, The Seattle Times asked readers to choose the best players at each position; more than 500 people took part in the poll, the results of which were published in an article. The vote produced the expected legends and a few interesting choices reflecting both the club’s history and its present.
At catcher, Cal Raleigh won overwhelmingly (87% of the vote), recently setting the club record for home runs by a player at that position, edging out Dan Wilson. First base produced one of the tightest races: John Olerud, a fan favorite from the 2001 team, took 46% to beat “Mr. Mariners” Alvin Davis (41%), the franchise’s first hometown hero. Second base was entrusted to Harold Reynolds (41%), who outpolled editor’s-choice Bret Boone and Robinson Canó. Kyle Seager won third base with 50%, ahead of future Hall of Famer Adrián Beltré. Despite strained relations with fans after his departure, Alex Rodriguez was chosen as best shortstop with 62%, reflecting recognition of his outstanding play in Seattle.
The outfield was dominated by legends: Raúl Ibañez with 72% in left field, Ken Griffey Jr. with a staggering 96% in center, and Ichiro with 94% in right. Notably, some readers placed current star Julio Rodríguez in left field even though he has never played there, showing his immense popularity. Designated hitter Edgar Martínez came closest to a unanimous selection, appearing on 515 of 520 ballots. The starting rotation was led decisively by Randy Johnson and Félix Hernández, followed by Jamie Moyer and Freddy García. The most interesting pick was the fifth starter: current Opening Day starter Logan Gilbert narrowly beat veteran Mark Langston, perhaps reflecting the effect of recent performances. In the bullpen, readers favored a mix of eras, including historical figures like Kazuhiro Sasaki and Jeff Nelson as well as modern stars such as Andrés Muñoz and Edwin Díaz. Rounding out the team was manager Lou Piniella, who received 97% of the vote, a tribute to his era that included the record 116-win 2001 season.
This poll not only honors the past but also shows how current players like Gilbert and Raleigh are already entering the franchise’s lore, balancing recognition of legendary heritage with the influence of recent success. The results reflect fans’ deep emotional connection to different eras of the club, from the early years to the late-’90s/early-2000s golden period and the present resurgence. For context: a “homegrown star” is a player the club developed in its system from the start of his career, and “recency bias” is the tendency to favor recent events or players. Readers’ selections serve as a vivid illustration of collective memory and Mariners supporters’ hopes ahead of a milestone anniversary.
Verdict for Insanity: Man Who Killed Pregnant Woman in Seattle Found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
Sometimes the justice system issues verdicts that may seem unfair at first glance but stem from strict adherence to the law. That was the case in Seattle, where the tragic death of a young woman and her unborn child received a legal resolution that many in the public may find unexpected.
Cordell Goosby, charged in the June 2023 killing of 34-year-old Eina Kwon and the attempted murder of her husband Sun Kwon, was found not guilty by reason of insanity. The verdict, rendered on Friday, followed a unanimous conclusion by psychiatric experts for both the defense and the prosecution. According to KOMO News, the tragedy unfolded at a busy intersection in Belltown when the couple was sitting in their car. Prosecutors say Goosby approached and opened indiscriminate fire, killing Eina Kwon, who was pregnant at the time, and wounding her husband in the arm.
It’s important to understand what “not guilty by reason of insanity” means under Washington state law. This is not an exoneration or a denial that the act occurred. The defendant admits he committed the violent act but is not held criminally responsible because, according to experts, he was unable to understand or control his actions at the time due to a severe mental disorder. Instead of prison, such individuals are committed for involuntary psychiatric treatment under the care of the state Department of Social and Health Services, for example at Western State Hospital. Prosecutors emphasized that this does not mean a quick release. Goosby could spend his life in the hospital. His detention is governed by ongoing risk assessments, and any decision to expand privileges or seek release must go through complex procedures involving the prosecution and court, both of which have veto power. Final authority on unconditional release always rests with the court. Authorities note that some people found not guilty by reason of insanity in murder cases decades ago remain confined in state hospitals.
The case is made more acute by the fact that the victim was pregnant. However, prosecutors explained that state law does not allow a charge of homicide for an unborn child unless the child was born alive. Also, there was insufficient evidence to charge manslaughter based on proving that Goosby knew of Kwon’s pregnancy. Prosecutors said that if their independent expert had concluded the defendant was sane at the time, the case would have gone to a jury trial. But because both experts agreed on insanity, the King County prosecutor’s office accepted the verdict. It was noted that Goosby, a previously convicted man from Chicago, had no prior cases referred to this county’s prosecutor. This tragic incident, which took the life of a successful restaurant owner and left her husband widowed, raises difficult questions about balancing justice for victims, defendants’ mental health, and public safety measures that remain in effect even after such a complex verdict.
Triumph with Ten Men: Portland Thorns Beat Seattle Reign in Cascadia Derby
In soccer, people often say the hardest win is one achieved while shorthanded. The Portland Thorns in Friday’s match against archrivals Seattle Reign not only proved that adage but raised it to an art form, earning a convincing 2–0 victory despite playing nearly the whole match with ten players and finishing with nine. The triumph, witnessed by a club-record opening-day crowd of 21,321, was a display of incredible character, tactical discipline, and skill.
The 44th chapter in the Thorns–Reign rivalry began as a nightmare for the home side. In the ninth minute, midfielder Kassandra Boquete received her second yellow card and left the field, leaving her team with ten players for the remaining 80-plus minutes. It would have seemed the initiative should pass entirely to the visitors. However, as the club’s match report notes, the Thorns not only held firm but seized the initiative. They maintained possession and continued to create chances against Seattle. Their persistence paid off in the 28th minute: from a corner delivered by Olivia Moultrie, Pietra Tordin met the cross with a composed header to open the scoring. That goal was Tordin’s first of the 2026 season but far from her only contribution. Ten minutes later she set up Raylyn Turner, who completed a brilliant solo run, beat Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, and doubled Portland’s lead. Remarkably, the shorthanded team led 2–0 at halftime and had not allowed a single shot on target in the first half.
The second half brought new tests. In the 57th minute, Thorns defender Reyna Reyes received a straight red card, and Portland had to finish the match with nine players. Even then, they did not bunker deep. The team continued to defend intelligently, making key interceptions (7 to Seattle’s 3), and still threatened on quick counters. Thorns goalkeeper Morgan Messner, earning her second consecutive clean sheet, acted confidently in the rare moments the ball reached her penalty area. Despite Seattle’s statistical advantages in possession (61.6% to 38.4%) and shots (17 to 8), the Thorns won where it mattered most — efficiency and willpower.
The victory carries symbolic weight. The Thorns not only set a new attendance record for an opening-day home match but also reinforced psychological dominance over their fierce rival. They now have 18 wins in 44 matches against Seattle across all NWSL competitions, and they remain unbeaten in their last six home regular-season meetings (4 wins, 2 draws). For context: the NWSL is the National Women’s Soccer League, the top division of women’s soccer in the U.S. and one of the world’s strongest leagues. The Cascadia Derby is one of the league’s fiercest rivalries, named for the Cascadia region of the Pacific Northwest where both clubs are based.
The match’s key figures were, undoubtedly, Pietra Tordin, who had a goal and an assist, and the entire defensive unit that stood firm under pressure. But the win was truly a team effort. With this mentality and character — starting the season with two wins and zero goals conceded — the Portland Thorns look like serious contenders for the league’s top positions. A tough schedule awaits, with an away match at the San Diego Wave on Wednesday, but after such a morale-boosting victory the Thorns will surely head to California brimming with confidence.
