All season during a magical 2022 we saw the Mariners endear themselves to the baseball world with their heart and spirit of teamwork.
And if you're wondering how all that comes together, the answer is simply that's who this team is. And we saw it first hand on Saturday.
It was the Harborview Children's Party where Toys for Kids from the Voice of the Mariners Rick Rizzs did its magic for a 27th year.
It all started back in 1995 with Rick and Dave Henderson hoping they could help kids in need and in the most dire situations at least have something to celebrate on Christmas.
So they pooled money from Mariners stars like Jay Buhner, Tino Martinez, John Olerud and more, before they knew it they had 300 toys to give out. And it's only grown since then.
"We're gonna make Christmas come true for a lot of kids this afternoon at the Yesler Community Center" Rick told us on Saturday as the tradition continues.
And so do the players.
M's pitcher Marco Gonzales and his wife Monica were joined by shortstop J.P. Crawford and his wife Kathy to help Rick (and Mariner Moose) make sure so many smiling children left with a fun present that will help them enjoy what may have otherwise been a sad holiday season.
"The best part is right here, watching the kids get the toys. That's our mission is to make Christmas come true, make Santa Claus show up for all these kids when normally they may not be able to get a toy at Christmas time, we make sure Christmas happens for these kids" Rick said.
"The gift of giving" said Crawford. "You know people get so wrapped up in themselves wanting presents I think this is the greatest present of all. Helping out the people who really need it. You see the joy on the faces of everyone walking by, this means so much to me."
Marco couldn't agree more.
"Coming out, a nice Saturday morning and spending time, spreading cheer, this is what the Christmas spirit is all about."
That first year 300 toys were gathered. This year? Rick tells me that on Saturday alone 500 toys were distributed with a couple more events to go this holiday season.
Another W for the M's with almost four months until their next official game.
And let's not forget how long of a season it is, 162 games from the first days of spring until the middle of fall and even longer this year with a playoff run. Yet, there's Rizzs and Marco and J.P. giving what little time they have in the offseason to helping others.
That's the difference with this team.
Talent is talent, but there's a direct correlation between the character of this team and the way they always found a way to fight and never give in.
The Mariners sure enjoyed the support from the Seattle community and are paying it forward with the effort spearheaded from Rick for almost three decades.
They don't come much better than Rick Rizzs, and certainly the Mariners organization from top to bottom.