By Guest Mariners Correspondent Dustin Nickerson

In the midst of COVID-19 outbreaks across the country, cancellations of several high-profile sporting league calendars have Seattle Mariners fans optimistic about a potentially cancelled MLB season that would mark an opportunity for the best M’s season in years.

“I know it’s going to be a losing season either way, might as well skip the playing of the games part,” said one fan who agreed to be interviewed from a 6-foot distance. “Some people view it as a lost season, but I view it as a tie for first place. Hang that banner right next to our 116 wins one.”

When asked about the possibility of solutions other than season cancellations, responses from fans of the only MLB team to never play in the World Series were mixed.

“Maybe a shortened season?” said veteran fan Clark Tomkins. “Our season is generally over by the All-Star break anyways. That suits us well.”

Regarding playing games without fans there, another fan asked, “Have you been to a Mariner’s game recently? It looks like Coronavirus hit us in about 2010.”

The Mariners haven’t been in the playoffs since 2001, the longest drought in professional sports.

“Some of our young players weren’t even born then – they don’t even believe we’ve ever been in the playoffs,” said team spokesman, Matt Buck. “Then they get even more confused when we try and explain that was Ichiro’s rookie year even though he was, like, 30. If we even mention that was a 32-year rookie season for Kaz Sazaki, they can’t handle it and just go back to dancing on TikTok.”

Although team members confess shock about the outbreak’s effect on the sports world, they also seemed optimistic about the potential non-MLB-season ahead.

“Listen, it can’t be worse for us,” said one Mariner’s player, who requested to be anonymous because he’s a Mariner’s player. “Nobody saw this coming, except for maybe the Astros.”