Emotional Haniger talks comeback, 100th HR

SEATTLE -- All year, at each passing milestone in this comeback of all comebacks, Mitch Haniger has remained stoic, steadfast and straight-faced.

Which is what made his reaction on Tuesday following his 100th career home run that propelled the Mariners to a huge win in their postseason pursuit all the more rewarding.

Haniger, who had spoken to reporters after hitting his 36th and 37th homers of 2021 the night prior, fought back tears when speaking of his 38th one night later. Seattle’s 30-year-old right fielder, beleaguered in the year-and-a-half before returning from three surgeries on Opening Day, choked up when asked about his latest accomplishment.

“A lot of missed time. A lot of pain, not really been able to walk for a little bit and kind of being pretty much broken,” Haniger said. “And to be able to come back, it's been fun.”

Perhaps it’s the Mariners’ playoff chase. Or the roaring ovation that he received upon taking right field after his deep fly in the seventh inning. Or the postgame clubhouse celebrating his individual achievement. Or, more likely, the support he’s received from those closest to him while he battled his way back.

Either way, the meticulously-driven, even-keeled, workmanlike Haniger was on the borderline of a breakdown on Tuesday, which underscored just how far he’s come from June 6, 2019, a date that created the possibility of a career derailment.

“It's a good feeling and really thankful for all the people that helped out along the way,” Haniger said. “I guess just, you know, testament to believe in myself and knowing I could do it.”

It’s not that this season hasn’t been without adversity, either.

Haniger looked like he was headed to another scary injury after fouling a ball off his left knee in June. He only missed two games, but he regressed some in the weeks after, which hindered what looked like a sure-bet All-Star bid. He also dealt with swirling rumors ahead of the Trade Deadline, many of which had legs until the Mariners played their way into contention and forced the front office’s hand to hold on to its top run producer.

Before Tuesday’s emotional reaction, Haniger had opened up on his drive to return to his status pre-injury, when he was an All-Star in 2018, and take it to another level by becoming one of the Majors’ best run-producing sluggers, saying “my goal was to be one of the best outfielders in the game.”

More than three months after that conversation, Haniger entered Wednesday’s series finale against the A’s, trailing only five players in home runs this season, all of whom will receive MVP votes in both leagues: Salvador Perez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Shohei Ohtani, Marcus Semien and Fernando Tatis Jr.

“Just watching Mitch go about his day, he's very routine- and process-oriented,” first baseman Ty France said. “Still being kind of a younger guy, just watching him go about his daily routine, a lot of guys learn from him that way. He's such a pro at what he does, and I couldn't be happier for what he's doing. He missed [more than] a whole year, and me personally, that would be really hard for me. So, I can only imagine what he's gone through. But in my opinion, he's got my vote for comeback Comeback Player of the Year.”

Haniger won’t receive top-end MVP consideration, but he might get some down-ballot votes at this point. Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto said before the season that a healthy Haniger “is our best player,” and though France, J.P. Crawford and Paul Sewald may have a case for that distinction as the season winds down, Haniger -- when locked in, as he appears to be now -- is the lineup’s biggest force.

He’s peaking at the perfect time and showing emotional edge -- and vulnerability -- in ways he hasn’t before.

Fan appreciation weekend on deck
All week, Mariners players have taken to social media to rally their fans to T-Mobile Park for this playoff push. On Wednesday, the Mariners shared the details of its Fan Appreciation Weekend.

• More details on Fan Appreciation Weekend HERE

Friday is Fan Appreciation Night, Saturday is Season-ticket holder Appreciation Night and Sunday is Kids Appreciation Day.