The ALCS is back after a day’s break, and we are getting a good match-up between the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays. It is Game 3, and the Blue Jays will be looking to get back to winning ways after having lost their 2 home games. A lot of eyes will be on this game, and one of those eyes will be of NBA star Kevin Durant. And we clearly know where his allegiance lies.

Seattle Mariners star first baseman, Josh Naylor, came to the ballpark wearing a Kevin Durant Jersey with his first team, the Seattle SuperSonics. This was posted on MLB’s X handle. To this Durant replied saying, “Good luck @Mariners…good throwback Josh.“

Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor wore a vintage Kevin Durant Seattle SuperSonics jersey before Game 3 of the ALCS. The jersey, No. 35, represents Durant’s rookie season in 2007-2008 before the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City. Durant acknowledged Naylor’s tribute on social media, highlighting the lasting significance of the Sonics in Seattle basketball history.

Kevin Durant’s time in Seattle created a deep connection between the player and the city’s fans during his rookie season. He averaged 20.3 points per game, earned Rookie of the Year honors, and engaged extensively with the local community. His presence at KeyArena fostered hope and excitement, leaving an enduring emotional imprint despite the team’s relocation in 2008.

Durant’s legacy reflects both achievement and unrealized potential for Seattle basketball fans still loyal to the Sonics. By wearing the throwback jersey, Naylor tapped into this sentiment, blending baseball with the city’s basketball history. The Mariners benefited from this cultural resonance, engaging fans emotionally while strengthening Seattle’s broader sports identity during a crucial playoff run.

Josh Naylor’s tribute reminds Seattle fans that basketball history still echoes through their baseball excitement. Kevin Durant’s rookie legacy lives on, proving the city never forgets its lost SuperSonics glory. If the Seattle Mariners play with even half Durant’s impact, Seattle might finally see championship celebrations soon.

Mariners expect small Blue Jays takeover the stadium in Game 3

If you’re expecting a quiet night at T-Mobile Park, think again. The Seattle Mariners are about to find out what happens when Canada’s baseball enthusiasm crosses the border in full force. Blue Jays fans have a history of turning hostile turf into their personal cheering section, and with the ALCS heating up, the only thing quieter than the Mariners’ bullpen might be the local fan section.

The Toronto Blue Jays have historically turned Mariners’ home games into a loud, overwhelming Canadian presence. Previous years featured “sometimes deafening chants of ‘Let’s Go Blue Jays!’” echoing through T-Mobile Park, proving fan dedication. The phenomenon was driven by easy cross-border travel from British Columbia and Alberta, making Seattle a practical destination for devoted supporters.

This year, Mariners officials note the stadium takeover will likely be smaller despite high stakes in the ALCS. Tickets have sold out, weekday scheduling reduces travel feasibility, and U.S.-Canada relations have lowered attendance, according to the Seattle Times. Still, fans in British Columbia remain invested, with local broadcasts of Ken Griffey Jr. fostering lifelong Mariners loyalty and anticipation for live games.

Even with smaller numbers, Blue Jays fans will still make T-Mobile Park feel unmistakably Canadian tonight. The Mariners must brace for a familiar chorus of “Let’s Go Blue Jays!” echoing relentlessly around the stadium. Baseball loyalty knows no borders, and Seattle will witness Canada’s passion collide with home-field reality.