Thank you Mitch!!
Thank you Mitch!!
Goodbye Mitch Haniger. Thank you for everything!
On Tuesday night the San Francisco Giants made a free agent acquisition to upgrade their right field spot. While it wasn’t Aaron Judge like their fans wanted, the Giants certainly got a good one. Mitch Haniger signed a 3-year 43.5 million dollar contract, officially parting ways with the Mariners after spending six years in Seattle.
Haniger became a fan favorite over his time in Seattle, sticking around through the tough years of the rebuild. Mitch became a beloved member of the clubhouse because of his tireless preparation and dedication to his craft.
The California native was notorious for his early arrival at the ballpark, healthy eating habits, and endless hours in the weight room and cage. He was touted as a player who helped turn around the culture in the Mariners clubhouse, and being there it was easy to see why.
I first met Mitch as a young fan back in 2018. He was so gracious in his time with us and he was a player I always looked up to. During games, I would watch the way he would pre-step before every pitch, the way he fielded ground balls, and the way he swung the bat.
I even had the opportunity to hit with a coach that worked with Mitch Haniger extensively with the Mariners, and him giving me drills that Mitch did. As a player he was somebody I looked up to, and I know I am not alone in the Pacific Northwest.
He had so many great moments in a Mariner uniform, it is hard to pick a favorite. The Mitch Haniger game against the Angels stands out, with 5 RBI and the famous call from Dave Sims.
Another personal favorite of mine was this ridiculous throw against the Angels.
Last year everything came full circle and I got to cover Mitch in the clubhouse, and he was just as special a person as he is a player. He truly helped to change the culture and the expectation of baseball in Seattle.
After the 2021 season, he took the time to sit down and write us all a letter, a prophecy that the Mariners would end the drought. This powerful message ended with “Let’s end this f—king drought.” Your Seattle Mariners did exactly that.
The Mariners are lucky to have had a player and person like Mitch in the clubhouse, he will be missed dearly. Thank you for helping us end the drought.