SEATTLE -- Their babies aren’t even eight months old yet, but Logan Gilbert and Emerson Hancock truly believe that they’re already becoming fast friends -- just like their dads. It’s illustrated in their mannerisms toward each other, that they inherently spend quite a bit of time together and that they were born just four days apart. “It's crazy to think about that,” Hancock said. “It's something that you really hope as you're creating this whole family of like baseball and teammates and everybody. And it's really cool to envision that one day, everyone's kids are hanging out.” The youngsters are Myles (Hancock’s son) and Henry (Gilbert’s son). And on Sunday, they were both in attendance at T-Mobile Park to root on their dads, as both of the Mariners starters celebrated their first Father’s Day. Seattle’s schedule aligned in a perfect way this weekend, as Hancock started Saturday night’s game against the Red Sox and Gilbert followed with a dominant effort on Sunday. At a position that only plays every fifth day -- or sometimes less frequently, given that the Mariners have six healthy starters -- there’s no guarantee that a starting pitcher would get that opportunity. “I actually didn't know it lined up until like this week,” Gilbert said. “A couple months ago, we were just trying to make sure that [my wife] Aviles and Henry were going to be here, just because there was different stuff going on. ... But they wanted to make sure they were still here, and now I get to pitch. It's going to be super cool.” |
“It's really cool that Logan gets the opportunity to do that,” Hancock added. “I think that'll be special for him, and I think it'll give him a whole different sense of purpose and meaning out there.” As is the case for anyone becoming a first-time parent, fatherhood has given Gilbert and Hancock a new outlook on life -- away from the game, for sure, but also within it. And each describes it differently. Gilbert’s meticulous pregame routine now, believe it or not, features Henry, at least for home games. Because T-Mobile Park’s home bullpen runs right against the outfield concourse with a barrier that goes up only about waist-high, Aviles will bring the baby out to watch dad toss his final warmup pitches. And the interaction is as adorable as it sounds. Aviles props Henry’s feet up on the top of the guardrail, then Logan comes over for hugs and kisses before heading out to the field mound. It’s here where Gilbert lets down his uber-competitive alter ego, which he was unable to do before this season. “I used to always be like, 'That's how I am,'” Gilbert said. “And sometimes, I'm maybe too locked in, or just like only focused on one thing, almost thinking if I came out of it, results might suffer -- almost like a superstitious way. And I don't think that's healthy. |
“So this year, I feel like it's been really cool being able to be like locked in on my prep and everything, but then I see him right before the game, and I'm Dad again. But then I go switch into compete mode, and it still feels like I have a more authentic self in it.” Hancock, meanwhile, is in the midst of a career year -- one in which he’s been arguably Seattle’s most consistent starter. He downplays the correlation of his ascent and being a new dad, but does say -- like Gilbert -- that fatherhood has allowed him to put less pressure on himself. “Yes, you want to be as consistent as a baseball player as possible,” Hancock said. “But I also want to be as consistent as a husband as I can, and consistent as a father. ... Me and [my wife] Haley talk about it all the time, it’s like we're in the golden days of raising a family. But you're also trying to perform and trying to compete at the same time, so it's a learning experience.” Gilbert and Hancock have known each other for over five years now -- pals well before their debuts, which Gilbert made in 2021 and Hancock in 2023. “It's weird to see one of your good buddies that you've always known without a kid, and now you both have kids,” Gilbert said. “You just see each other in a different light.” And as the saying goes, “like father like son” -- Gilbert and Hancock really mean it when they say that their little ones are becoming attached. “You can tell they like each other,” Gilbert said. “Like, yesterday, Henry was reaching, reaching, trying to just touch Myles. It's cool.” |
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No player on the Mariners’ roster is experiencing more pronounced highs and lows to this 2026 season than their two-time All-Star closer. And the latest acts from Andrés Muñoz were among his most dramatic. Just two days after exiting last Sunday’s outing in Washington with lower back tightness, the flamethrower was not only back on the mound -- but twirling one of his best performances yet, locking down Tuesday’s win with his 11th save. Then he registered his 12th and 13th on Thursday and Sunday. “I had a really good conversation before the game, on things that can help me a little bit more during the outing,” Muñoz said of Tuesday’s outing, referencing a chat with director of pitching strategy Trent Blank. “And more about breathing stuff, just to calm me down and focus and have all the energy to be out there and focus on what I have to focus instead of thinking too much.” As has been the case after each of his five blown saves, Muñoz is still trying to balance self-accountability with quickly turning the page. “I was thinking too much on the results,” Muñoz said. “It's the first thing that you look at when you see a [closer], unfortunately. But they talked to me and helped me to not think about that. Obviously, it's easy to say it. But it's just a way to start over, and that is how we're going to treat it every day that we are here.” There’s clearly an execution component that Muñoz can lack when things get away from him, but this really seems to boil down to confidence more than stuff. And the stuff this past week was electric. Each of his highest per-outing readings on his four-seam fastball this season were over these past three outings, capped 101.3 mph on Sunday. We haven’t seen this type of heat from him in some time, and he’s said that he intends to, quite literally, try to throw harder. |
All signs are trending towards Randy Arozarena being activated from the 10-day injured list as soon as he's first eligible on Tuesday. The All-Star candidate had increased his running progression throughout Seattle’s homestand and was expected to charter with the team to Pittsburgh, where the Mariners open a three-game series after Monday’s off-day. “If things go well for Randy, we should see him play in Pittsburgh,” Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said in a pregame interview with Mariners.TV on Saturday. The Mariners were hopeful that Arozarena could’ve avoided the IL altogether, but an MRI that he underwent last Tuesday revealed inflammation in his left hamstring. That, coupled with a few other key bats banged up, forced the club to put Arozarena on the shelf to not compromise their bench for even just a few games. His return can’t come soon enough for a lineup that’s shown such limitations against left-handed pitching throughout the season -- but especially over the weekend against the Red Sox, who started three straight southpaws. “Shortly thereafter, we should be seeing Brendan Donovan -- fingers crossed,” Dipoto said. “And then we'll have the 'A' team back together, and we'll find out how good this offense can be when everybody's healthy.” |
Mariners Fireworks Nights The Mariners are lighting up the sky all summer long with postgame fireworks shows presented by T-Mobile. Up next is Patriotic Fireworks Night on July 3 vs. the Blue Jays. Check out this year’s themes and the complete lineup at Mariners.com/Fireworks. 50 Seasons Celebration Night Don’t miss the biggest event of the summer: 50 Seasons Celebration Night presented by Daktronics. Witness the most iconic gathering of franchise greats as the top 50 Mariners players are unveiled and honored at T-Mobile Park on Aug. 8. Get your tickets at Mariners.com/50. Mariners Suites Are you planning an event this summer? Check out a Mariners Suite. The perfect venue for all kinds of events, from birthday parties and family celebrations to client meetings and company outings. Enjoy customizable set-ups, first-class catering and private entry & parking. Book now at Mariners.com/Suites. |
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