Imagine a team on the brink of making history, defying decades of heartbreak and mediocrity. That’s the Seattle Mariners right now, and at the heart of their improbable run is Jorge Polanco, a player whose journey is as dramatic as the Top Gun anthem that blasts from his locker. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Polanco the Mariners’ secret weapon, or just a beneficiary of their collective resurgence? Let’s dive in.
In the Mariners’ clubhouse, Polanco’s phone is anything but silent. His love for the Top Gun anthem—complete with soaring guitar riffs—is well-known, though no one seems to mind. Why? Because Polanco has been the Mariners’ postseason savior, pulling them out of the danger zone time and again. His latest heroics? A go-ahead three-run homer that sealed a 10-3 victory on Monday, pushing the Mariners to a commanding 2-0 lead over the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series (ALCS).
And this is the part most people miss: The Mariners, the only Major League Baseball team never to play in a World Series, are now just two wins away from their first American League pennant. Their journey has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, much like the anthem Polanco loves. But this time, they’re not just surviving—they’re thriving, thanks in large part to Polanco’s clutch performances.
At 32, Polanco has earned the right to be called the ‘Iceman’ of the Mariners, though his teammates have dubbed him ‘George Bonds’—a nod to his anglicized first name and the legendary home run king, Barry Bonds. This nickname wasn’t handed out lightly. Earlier this season, Polanco was hitting the ball with such force that it seemed every swing was destined for the gap or over the fence. ‘It was unbelievable,’ said catcher Mitch Garver.
What makes Polanco’s story even more remarkable is his resilience. Last winter, after years of battling left knee issues, he underwent surgery to repair his patellar tendon. As a free agent, he drew limited interest and re-signed with the Mariners for just one year and $7.75 million. ‘It’s been a journey,’ Polanco reflected. ‘I wouldn’t say it’s been bad. I wouldn’t say it’s been easy. I think God just prepared me for this year.’
His faith and determination paid off. Polanco’s October has been nothing short of spectacular. He hit two home runs off Detroit’s ace Tarik Skubal in the division series, delivered a game-winning single in the 15th inning of a winner-takes-all Game 5, and followed it up with a go-ahead single in Game 1 of the ALCS. Then came his fifth-inning blast off Toronto’s Louis Varland, a 105.2 mph rocket that traveled 400 feet and turned a tie game into a Mariners lead.
Here’s the bold question: Is Polanco’s success a result of his own grit, or is it a product of the Mariners’ strategic shift to pulling the ball in the air? His 23 of 26 home runs this season have been to the pull side, a strategy embraced by the team. But Polanco’s ability to execute under pressure—three consecutive game-winning hits after the fifth inning in the postseason, a feat never achieved in MLB history—suggests there’s more to it than just strategy.
Polanco’s journey from a bat-to-ball wizard in Minnesota to a power-hitting veteran in Seattle is a testament to his adaptability. After maxing out with 33 home runs in 2021, knee issues sapped his power, and his numbers plummeted last year. But the Mariners saw potential in his even-keeled demeanor and believed fixing his knee would fix his swing. They were right. ‘George Bonds’ was born in a ridiculous first month of the 2025 season, when he hit nine homers in 80 plate appearances.
Now, as the Mariners head home to T-Mobile Park for Game 3, the question lingers: Can they finally break their World Series drought? Polanco admits they think about it. ‘We’ve heard it a lot. We know,’ he said. But they’re not letting history weigh them down. With players like Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, and Josh Naylor stepping up, and Polanco leading the charge, the Mariners are more than just a team—they’re a force.
Here’s the final thought-provoking question for you: Is Jorge Polanco the missing piece the Mariners needed to make history, or is he just one part of a larger, more resilient whole? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your take!
