Former Mariner Ben Williamson pulled off the unthinkable last night, delivering a walk-off 12th-inning single for the Tampa Bay Rays to keep their World Series hopes alive against the Milwaukee Brewers. It was a 4-3 thriller in Game 4 at Tropicana Field, forcing a Game 5 tonight and reminding us all how wild October baseball truly is. While we’re all watching the postseason drama unfold, back here in the Emerald City, some big news just dropped on the hunt for our next Mariners manager.
The Walk-Off That Shook October, Courtesy of a Former Mariner
You gotta hand it to Ben Williamson. The dude, who used to wear the compass rose on his chest, stepped up when it mattered most. His one-run single in the bottom of the 12th inning was the difference maker, bringing the Rays back from the brink. The Brewers, who were just one win away from clinching the series, now have to fight another day. It’s a gut punch for Milwaukee, but for anyone who loves high-stakes baseball, that was pure theater. Game 5 tonight, and all eyes are on whether the Brewers can close it out or if Williamson’s heroics will spark an improbable Rays comeback. It’s hard not to feel a little pang of pride seeing a former Mariner make such a massive impact on the biggest stage, even if it’s not for us.
Our Hunt for a New Skipper: The Finalists Are Here
Now, for some news that hits a little closer to home. We’ve got finalists for the Mariners’ managerial opening! Get ready to hear a lot more about former Astros manager Joe Espada and Cubs director of player development Jason Kanzler. These two are reportedly the last men standing, and the front office is looking to make a final decision by the end of the month. It’s a huge decision for the future of our club, and the anticipation is absolutely buzzing. While the team is narrowing down its choices, our own Kate Preusser has been busy digging deep, even unearthing some Mariners coaching candidates from the ranks of the AL Central. It’s clear the team is leaving no stone unturned as they chart a new course.
Beyond T-Mobile Park: Offseason Moves & AI Obsessions
Around the league, there are always some interesting tidbits. Twins right-hander Jeff Hoffman just underwent arthroscopic surgery on his pitching elbow, but the word is he’s expected to be ready for the start of next season. On the old-school front, Yankee legend Jorge Posada is apparently feeling a bit unloved, saying he “doesn’t feel welcome” with the organization in a post-playing career capacity. Meanwhile, the Pirates have reportedly brought in Astros Triple-A pitching coach Sean Buchanan in a role that’s still under wraps, and the Astros themselves released outfielder Nelson Velazquez so he can chase career opportunities in Asia. Baseball Prospectus’s Maddie Landis also dropped some fascinating projections for incoming NPB stars Teruaki Sato and Shugo Maki. This kind of insight is super interesting as we get ready for a long winter of projecting what the 2027 season might bring. And for a little something completely different, our buddy Matthew Roberson over at The Stranger just wrote about the weird AI obsession of Seahawks Vice Chair, and son of the owner, Neal Khosla. Always something wild going on with our local teams, right?
As we look ahead, the World Series offers one last Game 5 tonight, and the clock is ticking on our managerial search, with a decision expected by the end of the month. It’s an exciting, if nerve-wracking, time for Seattle baseball as we prepare for a future with a new leader at the helm.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Lookout Landing.
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