Imagine a beloved mascot, once the ultimate underdog, suddenly turning into a legendary hero right when his team needed it most – this is the incredible tale of Humpy the Salmon and how he sparked a Seattle frenzy!
But here's where it gets controversial... Was his victory pure chance, or did it ignite a chain of miracles for the Mariners? Stick around, because this story is just heating up.
Seattle – the heart of coffee-fueled dreams and grunge nostalgia – has always had its quirky icons. For locals, phrases like 'bring back the Sonics' or even 'cream cheese on hot dogs' instantly signal you're from the Emerald City. Yet, for the last couple of years, nothing summed up Mariners fandom quite like 'Humpy the Salmon.' This endearing, bumbling fish mascot – decked out in a life preserver and known for his clumsy charm – had a streak of 0 wins in 167 attempts at the team's interinning mascot race. It was almost legendary in its failure.
That all changed dramatically in the 15th inning of Game 5 of the ALDS (https://www.mlb.com/gameday/tigers-vs-mariners/2025/10/10/813054/final/box). After what seemed like an eternity of defeats, Humpy finally crossed the finish line first, clinching what fans now call the 'Salmon Run' victory. Picture this: a slow-paced fish who couldn't keep up, suddenly blazing ahead. And right on its heels, Jorge Polanco delivered a walk-off single (https://www.mlb.com/mariners/news/mariners-win-alds-2025-vs-tigers), propelling the Mariners into their first ALCS appearance since 2001. It was a moment that felt like destiny.
As Tyler Thompson, the Mariners' director of experiential marketing and game entertainment, explained it: 'We were pulling out all the stops to energize the fans and push the team toward victory. That night, we made a choice that got the crowd roaring again – and it might just have played a role in that epic walk-off in the bottom of the 15th. Who can say for sure?'
- ALCS Game 3, presented by loanDepot: Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET/5 PT on FS1 (https://www.mlb.com/news/2025-mlb-playoff-and-world-series-schedule)
Building on that momentum, the Mariners racked up two more wins against Toronto, bringing them tantalizingly close to the World Series – closer than ever before in the franchise's history. Now, Humpy's journey from perpetual loser to timely savior is spreading beyond the Pacific Northwest. He's evolved from T-Mobile Park's charming underachiever into what some view as the team's luckiest charm.
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To understand the full backstory, let's dive into the origins of the Salmon Run (https://www.mlb.com/mariners/fans/salmon-run), which kicked off at the start of the 2024 season. This fun race has been a staple in every single one of the 162 home games during the regular season, plus those two open scrimmages during the bye week before playoffs, and even in Games 1 and 2 of the ALDS. For beginners confused about mascots in baseball, think of it as a lighthearted intermission where furry characters dash across the field – it's all about entertaining the crowd and keeping the energy high.
Among the competitors, you had King Salmon, resplendent in a crown and cape, claiming about a third of the wins. Silver, the sleek tech-bro type with a headset and tablet, was another consistent winner. And don't forget Sockeye, embodying that grunge vibe with a plaid shirt and nose ring – he's like the rockstar of the bunch. But Humpy? He was the odd one out, always coming up short. Sometimes he'd trail far behind, other times he'd dart ahead only to get sidetracked by a shiny object in the stands, or even get tackled by a rival mascot. It was endearing, yet frustrating for fans who rooted for him.
After the fourth inning of that fateful Game 5 on Friday night, Race 167 played out just like the previous 166 for Humpy: another loss. It looked like his story might end there, at least until a potential ALCS comeback. But the Mariners and Tigers had other ideas. Following Leo Rivas' pinch-hit single on his birthday that knotted the score (https://www.mlb.com/mariners/news/leo-rivas-hits-game-tying-single-for-mariners-in-alds-game-5), scoring ground to a halt. The ninth inning came and went with the game still deadlocked, leading into extra innings.
Midway through the 14th, they even stretched things out with a second seventh-inning stretch. And in the 15th, Thompson's crew decided to bring the salmon squad back for round two.
As they raced into left field, Silver, Sockeye, and King Salmon got all tangled up – perhaps from nerves or just bad luck. Humpy, seizing his moment like never before, slipped through the chaos and sprinted to the finish line. The Mariner Moose swooped in to celebrate, lifting Humpy high. T-Mobile Park exploded in cheers. In the dugout, players leaped to their feet, with Bryan Woo even punching the air in delight. As Woo later shared on Tuesday, Humpy's triumph was 'the moment of the year.'
Overhead from a player in the clubhouse: 'Humpy for the win!'
— Josh Kirshenbaum (@JKirshenbaum) October 11, 2025 (https://twitter.com/JKirshenbaum/status/1976880174580089092?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
This begs the question: If Humpy truly kicked off their winning streak, could we see him repeating as champion? Or is this just a fluke? And this is the part most people miss – what if Humpy's 'luck' is actually a meta-commentary on how underdogs can inspire real change? Thompson himself shrugged it off, saying: 'I've got no clue. The fish will race fairly next time, and we'll all find out together. Fans are buzzing, asking questions, but I'll be as surprised as anyone.'
- Blue Jays-Mariners ALCS Game 3 FAQ (https://www.mlb.com/mariners/news/blue-jays-vs-mariners-alcs-game-3-starting-lineups-pitching-matchup)
So, is Humpy a symbol of perseverance, or merely a mascot riding a wave of coincidence? Do you think his win was fate, or just clever timing by the team? Share your opinions – do you agree that mascots can change the game, or is this all hype? Let's debate in the comments!
