Wait For It Seattle, Ep. 98: World Cup in Seattle, the Mariners Are Hurt, and the Seahawks Whale

Wait For It Seattle, Ep. 98: World Cup in Seattle, the Mariners Are Hurt, and the Seahawks Whale

Episode 98 — Brian’s back. He spent the past month traveling and he came back just in time to attend Belgium vs. Egypt in Seattle. Kevin Cacabelos [https://substack.com/profile/166826474-kevin-cacabelos] and Brian Elsner [https://substack.com/profile/5499489-brian-elsner] break down the full World Cup experience (tips for anyone going Friday to USA-Australia), the Mariners injury crisis ending with JP and Cal coming back, the NBA expansion rumor mill, and a Top 5 about Mariners steals leaders. Chapters * 04:12 — Brian went to the World Cup at Lumen Field * 05:18 — How he got tickets through the Reign STH lottery * 07:11 — Tips for Friday: light rail in from the north * 08:35 — Pioneer Square pre-game atmosphere * 09:08 — Julio, Woo, and Randy were also at the match * 10:30 — Walking into the stadium and getting through security * 12:00 — Inside the stadium fan experience * 14:14 — Egypt fans dominated 75/25 * 15:08 — Seattle’s stadium is getting praised internationally * 16:02 — Pro tip: don’t drive from the south * 18:00 — Mariners game Friday after USA-Australia * 19:40 — Sports bucket list talk (Mariners World Series, Olympics 100m final) * 23:26 — Mariners: 37-36, first place, plus-20 run differential * 25:47 — The team is shattered — injuries everywhere * 27:42 — JP and Cal coming back changes the lineup * 28:11 — Rotation Q: what’s the TBD on Thursday? * 30:34 — Does the six-man rotation kill the bullpen? * 32:08 — Grading Colt Emerson, Munoz, and Garver * 35:00 — Andres Munoz’s blown save problem * 36:00 — Garver’s elite ABS challenges * 37:15 — Refsnyder vs. Pareda roster decision * 38:30 — Storm lost again — Awa Fam vs. Valkyries * 40:50 — Tankathon update: Storm have 7% odds at #1 * 44:30 — Seahawks ownership: the local whale? * 46:00 — Steve Ballmer speculation * 47:00 — Melinda French Gates joins Kraken ownership * 49:55 — Top 5: US National Team players on MLS rosters * 53:00 — Top 5: Mariners single-season steal leaders Follow SeaTown Sports’ Wait For It Seattle Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6eP9O5Tam3ieexGGD0ZFAY?si=95275c50d2b340f8] Subscribe to the Wait For It Seattle Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@waitforitseattle]. Links * Subscribe to the SeaTown Sports Substack [https://www.seatownsports.org]! * SeaTown Sports on Instagram [http://instagram.com/seatownsports_official] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.seatownsports.com [https://www.seatownsports.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Wait For It Seattle, Ep. 97: The Mariners' 8-Game Streak, the Piggyback Works, and Wemby Takes Over

Daniel Salle back in for Brian. The Mariners are on an 8-game winning streak that started right after last week’s “don’t panic” episode. The Castillo/Miller piggyback is actually working (the numbers are filthy). UW football’s recruiting class keeps growing. Mitch Johnson’s Spurs are in the NBA Finals against the Knicks. Plus Stephen Curry’s billion-dollar Lining deal and Myles Garrett to the Rams. Also: pour one out for the East Bay catalog. Chapters * 00:00 — Intro * 02:22 — Mariners on an 8-game winning streak — what’s clicking? * 03:08 — Julio Rodriguez heating up at the perfect time * 06:23 — Roster depth gives them cushion for Cal & Donovan injuries * 09:33 — Garver vs. Parada backup catcher question * 10:13 — The Castillo/Miller piggyback numbers * 11:58 — Castillo finishes a 10-inning game and the bullpen rests * 14:00 — Could the piggyback be a playoff weapon? * 14:48 — Props to the Dipoto/Hollander front office * 15:53 — Mets sweep watch + Tigers/Skubal trade rumor * 16:40 — UW Football: 4-star WR from Texas commits * 17:08 — How official visit weekends actually work * 20:13 — Should UW always lock in the #1 in-state recruit? * 21:36 — National recruiting footprint: Arizona, Texas, beyond * 25:18 — Mitch Johnson did it: Spurs in the NBA Finals * 25:30 — Spurs vs. Knicks preview * 28:34 — Wemby is unique, scary, and not even at his peak * 31:55 — Top 5: Knicks All-Stars 1999–present * 35:00 — Top 5: Biggest NBA shoe deals all-time * 39:00 — East Bay catalog nostalgia * 40:47 — Myles Garrett to the Rams * 42:00 — Reminder: football is two months away Follow SeaTown Sports’ Wait For It Seattle Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6eP9O5Tam3ieexGGD0ZFAY?si=95275c50d2b340f8] Subscribe to the Wait For It Seattle Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@waitforitseattle]. Links * Subscribe to the SeaTown Sports Substack [https://www.seatownsports.org]! * SeaTown Sports on Instagram [http://instagram.com/seatownsports_official] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.seatownsports.com [https://www.seatownsports.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Wait For It Seattle, Ep. 96: The Piggyback, Mariners Panic, and Seattle's All-Time Best Hoopers

Brian’s off this week, so Kevin’s joined by recurring guest Daniel Salle. They open with the Castillo/Miller piggyback that’s already getting weird, defend the Mariners against the increasingly loud “this roster is flawed” crowd, get deep into the Mitch Johnson story (and Seattle’s NBA Western Conference Finals coaching connection), and close by drafting an all-time Seattle high school basketball-alum starting five. Also: pour one out for Wild Waves and Enchanted Village. Chapters * 00:00 — Intro + Daniel Salle joins * 02:15 — Wild Waves & Enchanted Village closing * 03:11 — Castillo got pulled at 58 pitches and looked pissed * 07:36 — What do the Mariners do with the piggyback now? * 12:37 — Are the Mariners actually broken? Or is the panic premature? * 16:05 — Rob Refsnyder regrets + biggest disappointments * 18:00 — Defending Dipoto: This is the best Mariners front office ever? * 21:38 — Mitch Johnson’s path from O’Dea to the Spurs * 24:00 — All-time NBA coaching Mt. Rushmore * 28:46 — Friends of Hoop squad: Mitch, Spencer Hawes, Brockman, Micah Downs * 32:13 — Jamal Crawford on the broadcast & the Legion of Boom comp * 33:00 — Jamal weighing the Kentucky assistant job vs. coaching JJ * 35:33 — Draft: Seattle’s all-time starting 5 Follow SeaTown Sports’ Wait For It Seattle Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6eP9O5Tam3ieexGGD0ZFAY?si=95275c50d2b340f8] Subscribe to the Wait For It Seattle Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@waitforitseattle]. Links * Subscribe to the SeaTown Sports Substack [https://www.seatownsports.org]! * SeaTown Sports on Instagram [http://instagram.com/seatownsports_official] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.seatownsports.com [https://www.seatownsports.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Wait For It Seattle, Ep. 95 - J.P. Crawford Discourse Is Out of Control, the Storm Need to Be Bad on Purpose

Brian Elsner [https://substack.com/profile/5499489-brian-elsner] and Kevin Cacabelos [https://substack.com/profile/166826474-kevin-cacabelos] go back and forth on the Shams/Shai MVP spoiler, dig into the Seahawks 2026 schedule, address the J.P. Crawford social media discourse, and break down the Storm’s tanking strategy with live tankathon.com simulations. Plus a Top 5 about Notre Dame Seahawks draftees and an active-coaches-wins record quiz Chapters * 00:00 — Intro + episode 95 tease + NBA video game memories * 03:11 — Leadoff: Shams spoiled the MVP announcement * 08:50 — Seahawks 2026 schedule: most anticipated games * 13:18 — Christmas night vs. the Rams = playoff vibes * 15:00 — Toughest Seahawks schedule stretch? middle of season vs. end of season * 16:30 — Claude predicts Seahawks 13-4 (favored in 14 of 17 games) * 18:00 — Russell Wilson retirement broadcasting prediction * 26:50 — Is this the best Mariners front office era ever? * 27:54 — Which Mariner injury concerns you most? * 28:32 — Cal Raleigh’s floor and ceiling for 2026 * 29:18 — Pier 62 floating barge for World Cup * 32:13 — What would you use a floating barge for? * 34:00 — Storm tanking strategy + live tankathon simulations * 36:30 — Tanking philosophy: it’s OK to want them to lose * 37:54 — Brian is 0-4 going to Mariners games this year * 38:55 — Top 5: Notre Dame players drafted by the Seahawks * 42:50 — Top 5 counter: Most wins among active D1 basketball coaches Follow SeaTown Sports’ Wait For It Seattle Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6eP9O5Tam3ieexGGD0ZFAY?si=95275c50d2b340f8] Subscribe to the Wait For It Seattle Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@waitforitseattle]. Links * Subscribe to the SeaTown Sports Substack [https://www.seatownsports.org]! * SeaTown Sports on Instagram [http://instagram.com/seatownsports_official] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.seatownsports.com [https://www.seatownsports.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Wait For It Seattle, Ep. 94 - JP vs. Colt, and the Mariners Wall of Honor

Back from a one-week hiatus, Brian Elsner [https://substack.com/profile/5499489-brian-elsner] and Kevin Cacabelos [https://substack.com/profile/166826474-kevin-cacabelos] run a 5-4-3-2-1 format episode, including a live fantasy baseball trade that may or may not survive the night. Plus: the Mariners’ rotation/Castillo situation, the JP vs. Colt debate (or lack thereof), Sounders forward problems, Reign trends, the Storm rebuild taking shape, and a heated debate about who belongs on a hypothetical Mariners Wall of Honor. * 00:00 — Intro + 1993 hip-hop fallout (Shaq Diesel update) * 10:30 — The 5: Mariners six-man rotation & Castillo’s struggles * 15:49 — Mariners bullpen: Munoz, Brash, Spire, Ferare injuries * 17:24 — The “who is that” pitcher parade (Nick DeVilla and friends) * 20:15 — JP Crawford vs. Colt Emerson: don’t piss off the clubhouse * 23:30 — Cal Raleigh is the actual problem * 27:40 — Platoon frustrations: Rob Refsnyder and the lefty problem * 30:24 — The 4: World Cup hotel non-story + soccer talk * 33:35 — Sounders forward problem (Lewis’s text) * 37:10 — OL Reign: Laura Harvey is harming the offense * 39:53 — World Cup in Seattle: parties, beer gardens, June 15th * 42:35 — The 3: Storm’s new personality under Sonia Raman * 46:14 — Flau’jae steal of the year + Valkyries disaster * 47:50 — Are the Storm going to be REALLY bad? * 49:30 — Top 3 2027 draft picks: Juju, Hidalgo, Booker * 51:23 — The 2: Vinny Braga and Husky men’s basketball roster * 55:13 — UW women’s loaded portal class * 57:45 — The 1: Kraken get #7 pick in NHL Draft * 59:14 — Facebook monetization: we made 27 cents * 59:46 — Top 5: Mariners Wall of Honor Follow SeaTown Sports’ Wait For It Seattle Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6eP9O5Tam3ieexGGD0ZFAY?si=95275c50d2b340f8] Subscribe to the Wait For It Seattle Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@waitforitseattle]. Links * Subscribe to the SeaTown Sports Substack [https://www.seatownsports.org]! * SeaTown Sports on Instagram [http://instagram.com/seatownsports_official] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.seatownsports.com [https://www.seatownsports.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]