Sun Sep 28 04:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Mariners End 24-Year Drought, Clinch AL West Title Amidst Trade Successes, Team Chemistry, and… Witchcraft?
**SEATTLE** – The Seattle Mariners have finally broken their 24-year division title drought, clinching the AL West in dramatic fashion on Wednesday night with a series sweep of the Houston Astros and a resounding victory over the Colorado Rockies. Cal Raleigh, capping an MVP-caliber season, punctuated the win with his 60th home run of the year, sending the city into a frenzy.
But the Mariners’ journey to the top wasn’t just about on-field talent and shrewd acquisitions by General Manager Justin Hollander. It involved a bit of the unusual: a dash of magic from an Etsy witch.
With the team struggling in early September, lifelong Mariners fan Steven Blackburn turned to online sorcery, hiring a witch named SpellByLuna to cast a spell that would turn the season around. Since the spell was cast, the Mariners have gone on an unprecedented winning streak, leaving some fans wondering if it was Blackburn’s $16 spell that helped to break the curse. Blackburn has since been invited to the ballpark on Fan Appreciation Night, with the organization seemingly embracing the strange occurrence.
Aside from the witchy occurrences, the Mariners solidified their roster with key mid-season trades, acquiring Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor to bolster their infield and create a more dynamic lineup. Coupled with the emergence of young stars like Julio Rodríguez and the dominance of their pitching staff, the Mariners transformed into a team on a mission.
“We’ve got athleticism, we’ve got team speed, we’ve got power, we’ve got starting pitching, a back end of the bullpen,” said Jerry Dipoto, Mariners President of Baseball Operations. “It’s very rare in our lives you get all those things hitting at the same time.”
The team’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. After an incredible start, the Mariners faced a mid-season slump, forcing the team to regroup and refocus. Manager Dan Wilson, along with team leaders like Suárez and J.P. Crawford, emphasized the importance of unity and resilience, sparking a turnaround that culminated in their division-clinching victory.
The Mariners’ success can also be attributed to the historic season of Cal Raleigh, who has produced 60 home runs in the catcher position this season. The city is ecstatic about the potential of Raleigh for the AL MVP Award.
With the AL West title secured, the Mariners now have their sights set on the postseason. They are hoping to bring home their city’s first world series title since 1979, and look forward to a post-season run.
First Piper 