The Seattle Mariners are on the brink of a historic achievement, and one man, Jorge Polanco, has been their secret weapon.
In the Mariners' clubhouse, a unique ringtone often rings out - the "Top Gun Anthem" - and everyone knows who's behind it. Polanco, the veteran second baseman, isn't one for silencing his phone, but his choice of ringtone is a perfect representation of the team's journey.
"He loves Maverick and Iceman," says Cal Raleigh, a star player for the Mariners. And it's no wonder; Polanco's performance this postseason has been nothing short of heroic. His latest feat? A go-ahead three-run homer that sealed a 10-3 victory, putting the Mariners in a commanding position against the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series.
But here's where it gets controversial...
The Mariners, a team with a 49-year history of mediocrity and heartbreak, are now just two wins away from their first American League pennant. And it's largely thanks to Polanco, a 32-year-old infielder who has earned the right to be called "Iceman" or, as his teammates prefer, "George Bonds."
Mitch Garver, the team's catcher, explains: "He's George Bonds because everything he hits is a rocket. It's unbelievable."
Polanco's journey to this point has been far from easy. Last winter, he underwent surgery on his left knee, a long-standing issue that had him questioning his ability to continue hitting at the major league level. Despite limited interest from other teams, he re-signed with the Mariners, and the rest, as they say, is history.
"It's been a journey," Polanco reflects. "I've had my ups and downs, but I'm glad to be back and stronger than ever."
His strength has been on full display this October. From hitting two home runs off Detroit's ace, Tarik Skubal, to delivering the game-winning hit in the 15th inning against the Tigers, Polanco has been a consistent force. And his fifth-inning blast off Toronto's reliever, Louis Varland, was a thing of beauty - a 98-mph fastball that left the bat at an incredible 105.2 mph, traveling 400 feet to give the Mariners a 6-3 lead.
Dan Wilson, the Mariners' manager, praises Polanco's current form: "His swing is short and sweet. That ball he hit tonight? I wasn't sure it would go out, but he's got that spin now, and it stays up."
Polanco's ability to hit from both sides of the plate has always been a strength, but it was his newfound power that took him to the next level. In 2021, he maxed out with 33 home runs, but knee issues had taken their toll. Last year, his numbers dipped, but the Mariners believed in him, and their faith has been rewarded.
"He was Harry Potter before," Garver jokes. "A wizard with the bat."
This season, Polanco has embraced the Mariners' ethos of pulling the ball in the air, and the results speak for themselves. He's hit 23 of his 26 home runs to the pull side, and his game-winning hits in the postseason have been nothing short of historic.
J.P. Crawford, the longest-tenured Mariner, sums it up: "He's beaten us so many times. We know the player he is when he's healthy, and now we're seeing it."
Polanco's performance is a testament to the team's resilience and determination. Despite a rough patch in August and September, where they lost 13 of 18 games, the Mariners fought back, won the AL West, and earned a first-round bye.
And this is the part most people miss...
The Mariners' success isn't just about their star players like Raleigh, Rodriguez, or Naylor. It's about a team that never gave up, even when the odds were stacked against them. It's about a player like Polanco, who, despite his struggles, never wavered and is now a key part of their historic run.
So, as the Mariners head home to T-Mobile Park, just two wins away from their first World Series appearance, they do so with a sense of history and a deep understanding of what it means.
"We think about it," Polanco admits. "We know the significance."
But the knowledge hasn't deterred them. They're focused, determined, and ready to make history.
What do you think? Can the Mariners finally break their curse and reach the World Series? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
