Welcome to FTW Explains, a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. Have you seen Seattle Mariners fans putting shoes and sandals and such on their heads during MLB playoff games and wondered what’s up with that? We’re here to help.
That’s right, we have a fun new MLB playoffs superstition that goes along with a very fun team in the 2022 Mariners: Fans are sticking their footwear on their heads to rally the team.
Is it working? Well, if you believe in such things, then yes. And if you’re wondering where it comes from? Let’s fill you in:
Ew, really?
Yeah. Shoes on heads. Sports fans will do anything to help their team win, won’t they?
this is why we lost
go mariners 🥲 pic.twitter.com/qTvjqpOVVm
— Daniel G 🍌 (@DanielitoG25) October 11, 2022
How'd this all come about?
A fan named Ben put a sandal on his head before the Mariners made their epic comeback in Game 2 of the Wild Card series against the Toronto Blue Jays, so of course this started a trend.
This is Ben. Ben put his shoe on his head at the @TMobilePark watch party before the 8th inning. We got a few hits and soon everyone had their shoes on their heads. You know what happened next.
The “Rally Shoe” is officially being kept for the Mariners Hall of Fame. Baseball. pic.twitter.com/XtX1dveuXw
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) October 9, 2022
The story of #RallyShoe at @TMobilePark, according to Ben Cox…a man with a Birkenstock and a dream.
More from the legendary @Mariners watch party tonight on @KING5Seattle! ⚾️🧢 #SeaUsRise pic.twitter.com/8ouPakYltI
— erica zucco (@ericazucco) October 9, 2022
Where were you when the shoe rally was born! #SeaUsRise #shoerally pic.twitter.com/mt4VYPFjDW
— Fan First Baseball (@FFBaseball_) October 8, 2022
So now this is a thing?
Sure is:
Rally shoe time!!!#Mariners pic.twitter.com/gZGM4KnOFH
— Lauren Donovan (@LaurenKIRO7) October 8, 2022
We’re tied! #RallyShoe #GoMariners #PostSEAson #SeaUsRise #Believe #EmbraceTheChaos pic.twitter.com/JXvKruihsm
— Amy Franz (@ichimeterlady) October 8, 2022
Are there other fans trying it?
It would appear so:
Rally cap shoe!! pic.twitter.com/fkQMmmghnv
— SportsTalkATL Alex (@GeauxSportsTalk) October 11, 2022
