Yesterday, the spirit of nearly a century of Black baseball excellence reverberated through the stands at T-Mobile Park.
This wasn’t an ordinary Steelheads Sunday. As the Mariners sported their historic Seattle Steelheads uniforms, as they’ve done every Sunday home game this season, they also celebrated African American Heritage Day, honoring the legacy of Pacific Northwest Black baseball and softball, and creating a space for Black joy to flourish.
In partnership with Hey, Black Seattle! and other Black-led organizations, the Mariners featured Black excellence on the diamond. Bria Manaway from Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church sang The Black National Anthem and The Star Spangled Banner, Besa Gordon brought infectious energy as the stadium host, The Electronettes Drill Team and Drumline put on a thrilling performance, former Mariner player and Hometown Nine co-founder Dee Strange-Gordon threw the ceremonial first pitch, and Black Panther founders Elmer and Aaron Dixon were honored.
The game also featured the Mariners’ inaugural investment from the Steelheads Community Fund that contributed more than $100,000 to Baseball & Softball Beyond Borders and the Black Heritage Society of Washington State.
“Shoutout to the Mariners for embracing the Steelheads legacy,” comedian Nate Jackson said. “Can’t be Mariners without the Steelheads. It’s just the way America is.”
Converge Media is proud to celebrate six seasons of telling better stories in partnership with the Seattle Mariners. Thank you to the Mariners for an exceptional African American Heritage Day, where their investment is creating lasting space for Seattle’s Black legacy to endure.
Big shoutout to our crew Francisco Lopez, Paul Sanders, and Dylan Wiest for their incredible work.
Respect the past, own the future. Sundays are for the Steelheads.
