The Seattle Mariners lost to the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday afternoon in spring training action but that paled in comparison to the feel-good moment provided by Mariners' outfielder Haniger.
Stepping to the plate in the bottom of the first inning in Peoria, Haniger got a standing ovation from the M's faithful and then proceeded to hit a solo home run.
Thought it was just spring training, it was his first appearance in a Mariners uniform since 2022 and it's a reunion that makes both sides happy.
Haniger was brought into Seattle in 2017 as a core piece of the M's efforts to become a winner, and though injuries often provided frustrating setbacks, he became part of the bedrock of the organization until he left in free agency after the 2022 season.
He was re-acquired this offseason from the San Francisco Giants in a trade that sent Robbie Ray to the Giants.
The 33-year-old Haniger is a lifetime .256 hitter who has played for the Diamondbacks, Mariners and Giants. He got only 211 at-bats and hit .209 with six homers last season as injuries once again piled up.
Haniger also missed the entire COVID-shortened 2020 season and then was injured in 2022 when he played just 57 games.
His best season came in 2021 for Seattle, when he hit 39 homers and drove in 100. He also made the All-Star team in 2018 when he ended up hitting 26 homers and bringing in 93.
If Haniger can stay healthy (a big if) he will provide the M's with a much-needed offensive boost, but for now, it was just nice to see him in an M's uniform again.
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