Seattle is no longer America’s most miserable sports city

SEATTLE — Six months ago, with an outstretched left hand, a leaping Richard Sherman put an end to one of the most memorable sporting events ever played in Seattle.

And with that NFC championship-clinching play, Sherman didn’t just send the Seahawks to New York, where they would pummel the Denver Broncos on the way to the first Super Bowl title in team history, he also kicked off what is shaping up to be a very memorable year in sports for a region too familiar with losing, or in a good year, mediocrity.

If you need a reminder that the 2014 calendar year has the potential to be a special one for sports fans in the Puget Sound region, on Sunday take a look at the same stadium where the Seahawks punched their ticket to the Super Bowl, as well as the one across the street. This afternoon, close to 100,000 fans will fill CenturyLink Field (Sounders-Timbers) and Safeco Field (Mariners-A’s) to watch two winning home teams play important rivalry games.

And sure, a big Sunday in Sodo is nothing new for sports fans. One that doesn’t involve the Seahawks, however, is a refreshing change of pace.

Not too long ago, we hit rock bottom as a sports town. In 2008, just about every team was terrible, except for the Sonics, who couldn’t be bad since they, you know, failed to exist anymore. Since then:

? The Sounders have burst onto the scene as a successful new Major League Soccer franchise that didn’t just win right out of the gate, but one that also drew fans at an unprecedented rate.

? The Seahawks endured another bad season in 2009, but have since turned things around in dramatic fashion under Pete Carroll, culminating in a title earlier this year.

? And the Mariners, well, the Mariners haven’t given fans much to get excited about, but there have been signs — from the offseason signing of Robinson Cano to the fact that they’re still over .500 and in contention for a Wild Card berth heading into the All-Star break — that perhaps even they are going to give people a reason to stay interested through the end of the season.

“We’re going to fight to the end,” Mariners outfielder Michael Saunders said earlier this week before landing on the disabled list. “And we know September is going to mean something this year.”

September meaning something other than the start of football season? That would certainly be different.

In 2010, 2011 and 2013, Forbes determined that Seattle was the most miserable sports city in America — Atlanta edged Seattle for that “honor” in 2012 — but in 2014, the misery is not only over, it appears the good times are here.

Sure, it’s only July and a lot could go wrong. By the time 2014 ends, everyone expects that the Seahawks will be on their way to another NFC West title, or at the very least a playoff berth, and while they are very well set up to do just that, a high bar also means the potential for bigger disappointment if things don’t work out.

And by losing three of four to the last-place Minnesota Twins, the Mariners reminded us that they’re still very flawed despite an impressive first half of the season that saw them get as many as nine games over .500.

The Sounders, meanwhile, are enjoying their best season since joining MLS in 2009, but after five straight playoff berths and no titles, nothing short of an MLS Cup will make this season feel like a success.

But while we don’t know what will happen between now and Dec. 31, we do know that this year already has seen the Seahawks win a Super Bowl, the Mariners get off to a surprising start and the Sounders dominate MLS while also sending two players to the World Cup. And let’s not forget University of Washington football, which hired Chris Petersen, one of college football’s best coaches, meaning what is already a good program has the potential to take another step forward this fall.

It’s silly to think that one team’s championship can make teams in other sports actually perform better, but it’s not that unreasonable to suggest that the Seahawks gave Seattle sports fans their swagger back. And while today’s Mariners and Sounders rival games aren’t nearly as significant as the one that sent the Seahawks to the Super Bowl last year, it should be a special day of sports in Sodo nonetheless. Not only are the Sounders playing their biggest rivals in front of more than 60,000 fans, plenty of those soccer fans will start the day early to watch the World Cup final at one of the many bars in the area, or at the viewing party the Sounders are hosting as a fund-raiser for Special Olympics in Occidental Park.

“The support we have here, you can’t replicate it anywhere else in the States because of the numbers we get at our games,” said Sounders star Clint Dempsey, who got a plug in for today’s game while appearing on The Late Show with David Letterman earlier in the week. “It’s something that’s special … It is exciting. It’s not too much of a drop-off in terms of that excitement we experienced during the World Cup.”

A World Cup appetizer followed by a Sounders-Timbers main course would make for a fun day by itself. But when you add to it a meaningful game between two playoff contenders at Safeco Field, it sets up to be as big of a non-Seahawks sports day Seattle has seen in a while.

In all likelihood, the sports year peaked in January and February — short of Felix Hernandez pitching a no-hitter in a World Series-clinching victory on the same day the NBA announces the return of the Sonics, it’s hard to imagine anything topping the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run. But as today shows, the good times for area sports fans didn’t end with that Super Bowl win.

Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.