MLB Weekly Digest October 3rd Edition: Mariners Back In Playoffs

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The last week in MLB was about a team in the American League ending a long playoff drought, a player making history, and a starting pitcher signing a deal with a club in the National League.

Seattle Mariners Return to Playoffs for First Time Since 2001

THE MARINERS ARE HEADED TO THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 21 YEARS! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/73qlB2sLZR

— theScore (@theScore) October 1, 2022

The Seattle Mariners can party like it is 2001; the drought is over for them, as they are back in the postseason.

“THE DREAM LIVES! THEY’RE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS! THE DROUGHT IS OVER!” @TheDaveSimsShow just doesn’t miss. pic.twitter.com/DmbJRvsbJW

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) October 1, 2022

The Mariners clinched a spot in the playoffs a couple of days ago due to a pinch-hit walk-off home run by catcher Cal Raleigh against the Oakland Athletics.

Bottom 9. 2 outs. 3-2 count. The moment Cal ended a 21-year drought.

How can you not be romantic about baseball? pic.twitter.com/mGbLlKveAP

— MLB (@MLB) October 1, 2022

Raleigh is the player in MLB history to hit a pinch-hit walk-off home run to clinch a postseason spot for his team, per ESPN Stats & Info.

Cal Raleigh is the 1st player in MLB history to hit a pinch-hit, walk-off home run to clinch a playoff spot for his team.

h/t @EliasSports

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 1, 2022

It has been a long time for the Mariners since they were in the playoffs, and the players were excited when Raleigh crushed that home run.

21 years ago… pic.twitter.com/RbhjXpv8B1

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 1, 2022

The Mariners have undergone many changes since that 2001 season as they made various moves to improve their club.

They are a team capable of a deep run in the postseason.

They have a strong starting rotation and an offense that can cause problems for opposing teams.

The Mariners no longer have the longest postseason drought in North American professional sports.

The Sacramento Kings in the NBA have that honor, as they have not made the playoffs since 2006.

New York Yankees Outfielder Aaron Judge 61^st Home Run Ties Roger Maris for AL Record

6⃣1⃣💥

Aaron Judge ties Roger Maris for the AL single-season home run record, set in 1961 — 61 years ago! pic.twitter.com/HOX9JrOfjJ

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 29, 2022

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge made history last week as he tied Roger Maris for the American League home run record.

61 years since 61.

Aaron Judge has written his name alongside Roger Maris in baseball's record books. pic.twitter.com/1V4Gums34C

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 29, 2022

He crushed his 61^st home run of the season against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

Maris had 61 home runs in 1961, which was the most by any player in the MLB at that time.

The record stood until Sammy Sosa, and Mark McGwire in the National League broke it in 1998.

San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds would pole vault both in 2001 when he hit 73 home runs.

Judge has authored a 2022 season that will be remembered for years.

The outfielder has compiled a .313 batting average and 1.121 OPS in 153 games with 131 runs scored, 174 hits, 28 doubles, 61 home runs, 130 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases.

Maris’ son, Roger Jr., and Judge’s mom, Patty, were in attendance for the historic home run.

Mom and Maris Jr. react to 61 💙 pic.twitter.com/3jSfiqF0Tc

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 29, 2022

Judge, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, is in line for a massive contract during the offseason.

He has a couple of games left before the season is over, and it would be nice if he could hit one more home run to break the tie between him and Maris.

Atlanta Braves Sign Starting Pitcher Charlie Morton to One-Year Contract

The Atlanta Braves have signed starting pitcher Charlie Morton to a one-year, $20-million contract with a $20-million club option for 2024 that does not include a buyout, per a team announcement.

The Atlanta #Braves today signed RHP Charlie Morton to a one-year contract worth $20 million for the 2023 season, with a $20 million club option for 2024 that does not include a buyout. pic.twitter.com/BnNgQmcv5q

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 30, 2022

Morton has had a solid 2022 campaign for the Braves as he posted a 4.29 ERA in 167 2/3 innings pitched (30 starts) with 200 strikeouts, 62 walks issued, 26 home runs allowed, a 4.18 FIP, and 1.20 WHIP.

The Braves love what Morton brings to the clubhouse and their young pitchers on the roster, per David O’Brien of The Athletic.

#Braves have studied Morton's peripherals, velo, etc., and they're basically same as w/ Houston in 2018. They think he had tough luck w/ some homers, but overall performance solid 3.52 ERA past 18 starts, K's still big. And they LOVE what he adds to clubhouse and young pitchers.

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) September 30, 2022

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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