Mariners Launch “Steelhead Sundays” to Honor Black Baseball Legacy in Seattle
Opening Day in Seattle came with more than just the return of baseball—it marked the start of a historic new tradition for the Seattle Mariners. During a recent appearance on Good Day Seattle, Converge Media producer Omari Salisbury shared insight into the team’s new “Steelhead Sundays” initiative, a season-long commitment to honoring the legacy of Negro League baseball in the Pacific Northwest.
For the first time in Major League Baseball, the Mariners will wear Negro League-inspired jerseys every Sunday home game at T-Mobile Park—a move that goes beyond the typical one-game tribute seen across the league. This weekly recognition pays homage to the Seattle Steelheads and the deep-rooted history of Black baseball in the region.
Salisbury, who helped produce the official announcement video, described the initiative as both personal and impactful. As a lifelong Mariners fan with ties to the Central District, he reflected on his own journey—from walking to games at the Kingdome as a kid to now helping tell stories that connect past and present.
But “Steelhead Sundays” isn’t just about uniforms—it’s about action. The Mariners have committed $500,000 to the Steelheads Community Fund, supporting youth baseball and softball programs across the region, including in Seattle, Portland, and even Alaska.
Through partnerships with organizations like the Mariners Care Foundation, the initiative aims to create real access and opportunity for the next generation of players. Salisbury emphasized that this investment ensures the effort is not simply symbolic, but a meaningful step toward equity and inclusion in the sport.
He also highlighted the importance of preserving and sharing this history, noting contributions from groups like the Black Heritage Society of Washington State and the Museum of History and Industry, which helped bring the story of Black baseball in Seattle to life through research and archival imagery.
As the Mariners take the field each Sunday, “Steelhead Sundays” serves as a reminder that baseball in Seattle has always been bigger than the game itself. It’s about legacy, community, and making sure the next generation has a path forward.
