If Ichiro can do it, why not me?

Yep, I went there. With absolutely no hesitation, I convinced myself that it would be acceptable to compare the return of the Hall-of-Famer-in-waiting to my own homecoming. Hey, I was excited, OK?

After years of being a part of Mariners’ coverage for The News Tribune in Tacoma and, later, for MLB.com, I’m ecstatic to be able do so again, this time covering the organization for The Athletic.

Folks, this is going to be a lot of fun.

The Athletic, in a short time, has already delivered on its promise to provide the best in storytelling, digging deep into a subject to give the reader a well-rounded, thoughtful and insightful view.

For me, this type of writing resonates on so many levels. I’ve loved these stories — reading them and writing them — for as long as I can remember.

After leaving Seattle, I covered the Padres for MLB.com for nine seasons, where I got a chance to do a lot of storytelling. I spent a day in the Padres’ draft room, painting a picture of what goes on behind closed doors. I had an amazing conversation with legendary Padres broadcaster Jerry Coleman as we walked his German Shepard, Gus, at 5 a.m. The only Major Leaguer to see combat in two wars, Coleman’s stories were ones that were as haunting and chilling as they were inspiring.

Storytelling is a blast, and that’s what I’ll be doing as I return to cover the team I grew up watching, spending endless summer days in the Kingdome in the mid-80s with literally dozens of other baseball-starved fans.

Our family moved from Tacoma to Gig Harbor in 1977, and I vividly remember my grandpa taking me to Bat Night that first year. Our seats were so far up in the 300 level I thought I was going to pass out. The players looked so small!

On Opening Day of 1986, a group of us were in the upper deck in left field when – get this – Jim Presley hit a game-tying two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings against the Angels. One inning later, Presley won it with a walk-off grand slam. (See, Presley did more than just block Edgar Martínez!)

Finally, as young – well, younger — reporter in 1995, I was there for The Double, as Ken Griffey Jr. raced around the bases after Martínez’s hit into the left field corner induced cheers that awoke a generation of baseball fans in Seattle and proved pivotal to the future of the game in the city.

I grew up here, and other than a detour to cover the Padres, I have made a career in the Pacific Northwest. I understand the passion and frustrations of fans here. There’s an inquisitive base of fans here who want to know more about their favorite team and players. They want to understand the process. They want stories that will engage them from start to finish, no matter the subject.

That’s why I’m here.

I’m elated to join the likes of Ken Rosenthal and Jayson Stark and the gifted group of writers, on and off the baseball beat, who have preceded me at The Athletic.

This site has big plans for Seattle — I’m just the first one in the door. We’ll be making more hires for local beats down the road, but we’ll unveil full Mariners coverage today, and I’m excited to get started. It’s going to be a fun ride. I hope you’ll join me (and Ichiro!).

To get 30% off and a free The Athletic t-shirt, go to theathletic.com/seattlelaunch

(Top photo: Rod Mar/MLB Photos via Getty Images)