Mariners Struggle to Capitalize at Home

The **Seattle Mariners** are a professional Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Seattle, Washington, competing in the American League (AL) West Division. Established as an expansion team in 1977, the Mariners initially played at the Kingdome before moving to their current home, T-Mobile Park, in 1999[1][3]. The team’s name reflects Seattle’s strong maritime heritage, and their colors—navy blue, northwest green (teal), and silver—have evolved since inception, symbolizing the Pacific Northwest[1]. The Mariners’ early years were challenging, marked by frequent losing seasons and instability. Notably, Seattle’s first major league team, the Seattle Pilots, only lasted one season (1969) before relocating due to financial troubles, which led to a lawsuit that eventually secured Seattle a new franchise—the Mariners—in the late 1970s[4][9]. The franchise struggled through the 1980s, but the late 1980s and 1990s saw a transformation driven by drafting and acquiring key players such as Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martínez, Jay Buhner, and Randy Johnson[6][9]. Seattle’s peak success came in the mid-1990s. The Mariners clinched their first playoff berth and division title in 1995, highlighted by Edgar Martínez’s iconic walk-off double against the New York Yankees that preserved baseball in Seattle[1][6]. They won a second division title in 1997 and returned to the playoffs in 2000 and 2001, with the latter season setting an American League record of 116 wins. Japanese star Ichiro Suzuki joined in 2001, further elevating the team’s profile[1][8]. However, the Mariners have struggled with postseason success, enduring a prolonged playoff drought from 2002 through the late 2010s, despite occasional bursts of competitive play. The team faced management and payroll challenge

## Overview The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League (AL), making them the only MLB franchise based outside the United States since 2004[1][2]. Founded in 1976 as part of an AL expansion, the team played its first season in 1977, calling Exhibition Stadium (and later the Rogers Centre) its home[2][3]. Owned by Rogers Communications, the Blue Jays have become one of Canada’s most popular and successful sports organizations, with a strong following both in Toronto and across the country[2]. ## History and Key Achievements The Blue Jays’ early years were marked by struggles, with five consecutive last-place finishes in the AL East. However, the hiring of Bobby Cox as manager in 1982 marked a turning point, leading to the team’s first winning season in 1983 and an 11-year streak of winning records[1]. The franchise reached its zenith in the early 1990s, capturing back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 and 1993—the first and only titles by a non-U.S. team in MLB history[1][2]. The Blue Jays also won their third AL pennant in 2025, reasserting themselves as a contender on the sport’s biggest stage[1]. Over their history, the team has produced notable players such as George Bell, Tony Fernández, and José Bautista, who twice led the American League in home runs and won the Hank Aaron Award[1][3]. The franchise has also been recognized for community engagement, receiving the Commissioner’s Award for Philanthropic Excellence[3]. ## Current Status As of the 2025 season, the Blue Jays are competitive in the AL East, boasting a strong roster and a passionate fan base[5]. The team plays its home games at Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto, a venue known for its retractable roof