Snatching Defeat From the Jaws of Victory

What happens when you lose something you love at the last second?

It’s been about 36 hours since the Seattle Mariners — the team I’ve cheered for since I could walk — tragically lost Game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

For the non-baseball fans reading this, here’s my best analogy.

Imagine preparing for the dinner of your life with all of your loved ones. Your favorite restaurant in your favorite city. Your favorite dish on the menu. Everyone dressed up, ready to celebrate together.

You’ve never had this experience before. The last time you came this close to getting in the restaurant was 24 years ago.

Just as the host is about to seat your party, the manager pulls him aside. You can peek into the restaurant and see everyone inside — laughter, conversation, the smell of your favorite food drifting through the air.

Then the host returns, his tone suddenly formal.

“I’m sorry. We can’t seat you tonight. Please come back next year.”

You and your loved ones stand there. Shocked. Sad.

Was it something we said? Something we wore? Something we did wrong?

The “what if” questions creep in.

And then the most painful thought: what if everyone isn’t here next year to dine with me? What if this was our moment, and it slipped away?

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Maybe I’m being a bit dramatic. But it is true that the Seattle Mariners have never played in the World Series and it’s been 24 years since we came close.

Until 36 hours ago.

The Mariners had the lead going into the bottom of the 7th inning. But then the restaurant manager — in this case, George Springer — sent us home with a home run.

To be so close you could smell the food, only to be turned away at the last second — it’s demoralizing. Painful.

We snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. We lost at the edge of winning. The inverse of the more familiar storyline of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

The Toronto Blue Jays did that instead. And watching them celebrate only twisted the knife. Still, I was glad to see our guys stay in the dugout. Soaking it in. Getting hungrier.

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This is not to say I didn’t enjoy the journey. The 2025 Seattle Mariners left a lasting impression on me. I was thankful to witness their efforts with my mama.

The lesson here is to cherish every day. Never take winning for granted. And to be ready for that next opportunity if and when it comes.

The good news? Even when you lose, it’s possible to win.

Nobody will ever be able to take the memories I made with my mom. How we witnessed the excitement of the Mariners chasing history.

I don’t know when it will happen again. But when the doors open, I’ll be ready for my table.

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For a full breakdown of Game 7 and the 2025 Seattle Mariners, with a preview of the World Series, check out my podcast: