As the Seattle Mariners gear up for spring training in Peoria, they’re not just packing their bags - they’re still putting the finishing touches on the roster. And if last Friday’s list of non-roster invitees is any indication, the front office is leaving no stone unturned in its search for depth and potential diamonds in the rough.
Among the names invited to camp are a few that might ring a bell for Mariners fans. Catcher Brian O’Keefe is back in the mix after brief stints with the big-league club in 2022 and 2023.
He’s seen just 10 games of MLB action and has spent the lion’s share of his 11-year pro career grinding in the minors. At 32, he’s a long shot to crack the Opening Day roster, especially with Cal Raleigh firmly entrenched as the starting catcher.
But O’Keefe brings familiarity with the organization and a veteran presence to camp - and in spring training, that still matters.
Joining him behind the plate is Jackson Reetz, who saw big-league time as recently as last season with the Guardians. Reetz appeared in 34 games in 2025, and he’s another name to watch in what’s shaping up to be a crowded competition for backup catching duties. With Raleigh - affectionately known as “Big Dumper” - locked in as the starter, the rest of the depth chart is wide open.
The Mariners also added infielder Will Wilson and right-hander Michael Rucker to the list of minor league signees receiving camp invites. All four players bring some level of major league experience, and while none are headline-grabbing additions, these are the kinds of under-the-radar moves that can pay off over a 162-game grind. Whether it’s an injury call-up or a midseason need, having experienced options stashed in Triple-A is a smart play.
Pitchers and catchers report on February 12, with the first full-squad workout scheduled for February 17. And while the focus will be on the regulars, don’t be surprised if one of these non-roster invitees makes enough noise to stick around longer than expected.
Steelheads Sundays: A New Tradition at T-Mobile Park
The Mariners are rolling out a fresh look for Sunday home games this season - and it’s not just about aesthetics. Starting in 2026, the team will wear throwback uniforms honoring the 1946 Seattle Steelheads, a Negro Leagues team that played a brief but meaningful role in the city’s baseball history.
It’s part of a broader initiative the Mariners are calling Steelheads Sundays, and it’s more than just a uniform change. The club is committing $500,000 to support local Black-led baseball and softball programs, reinforcing a connection between the past and the future of the game in Seattle.
The Steelheads were a short-lived team, playing in a league that folded just three months into its inaugural season. But their legacy lives on. Formed by Abe Saperstein - the same visionary who founded the Harlem Globetrotters - the Steelheads played at Sick’s Stadium, the same ballpark that would later host the Seattle Pilots in 1969.
While the Mariners first wore Steelheads uniforms in a one-off tribute back in 1995, this marks the first time an MLB team has committed to wearing Negro Leagues throwbacks as part of its regular uniform rotation. It’s a powerful gesture - one that honors the players who paved the way, many of whom never got the chance to play in the majors due to segregation, but whose impact on the game is undeniable.
A Statue for the 116-Win Club - and a Moment That Transcended Baseball
The Mariners also used FanFest weekend to unveil plans for a new statue at T-Mobile Park, and this one hits on multiple levels of nostalgia and meaning. Set to be revealed on September 3, 2026, the statue will honor the legendary 2001 Mariners team that tied the MLB record with 116 wins - and it will also commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
The statue will depict Mark McLemore and Mike Cameron holding an American flag, capturing a poignant moment from September 19, 2001. That night, just eight days after the attacks, the Mariners clinched the AL West with a 5-0 win over the Angels. But what happened after the final out is what truly resonated.
Carl Hamilton, a Marine veteran and the team’s video coordinator, brought out an American flag. McLemore took it to the mound, where players formed a prayer circle.
Public address announcer Tom Hutyler called for a moment of silence. It was spontaneous, heartfelt, and deeply respectful - a rare moment when baseball and real life collided in a way that reminded everyone of the game’s place in the broader American story.
“This was the high point of my career, definitely my highest moment in baseball,” McLemore said at the time. “And it was right. After what our country has gone through, what many of our people have gone through, this was tasteful and respectful.”
The statue will serve as a tribute not just to one of the greatest teams in Mariners history, but to a moment of unity and reflection that transcended the sport.
Looking Ahead
As the Mariners prepare to celebrate their 50th season, there’s a clear sense of purpose in how they’re honoring their past while building for the future. Whether it’s through thoughtful roster additions, meaningful community initiatives like Steelheads Sundays, or commemorating unforgettable moments from their history, the organization is setting the tone for a season that’s about more than just wins and losses.
Spring training is almost here. And in Seattle, the storylines are already starting to take shape.