The Mariners have announced that they will honor the legacy of the Seattle Steelheads on Sundays at T-Mobile Park during the 2026 season.
The Seattle Mariners will have a lot going on in the coming months, as they celebrate their 50th season anniversary in style. However, they are also going to spend 2026 honoring their Negro leagues predecessors, the 1946 Seattle Steelheads.
As announced on Saturday during FanFest at T-Mobile Park, the Mariners will wear replicas of the Steelheads’ black-and-white uniforms for Sunday home games throughout the upcoming season. This will make the M’s the first Major League team to wear a Negro Leagues uniform as part of its regular uniform rotation, replacing the cream-colored uniforms they had worn on Sundays at home since 2015.
The Mariners first wore the Steelheads replica uniforms on Sept. 9, 1995 vs. the Kansas City Royals at the Kingdome, in a game which the home side won 6-4 in front of former Steelheads player Sherwood Brewer. Since then the M’s have donned the uniforms on multiple occasions, including games held on Juneteenth during recent seasons. Juneteenth is a federal holiday that commemorates June 19th, 1865 , the day all people living in the United States, including former slaves, were granted freedom.
The Steelheads played in the West Coast Negro Baseball League in 1946, with their home games taking place at Seattle’s historic Sick’s Stadium. Other Seattle baseball teams to play at Sick’s Stadium include the ill-fated Seattle Pilots in 1969, as well as the Rainiers.
Mariners also set up a community fund
In addition to wearing the uniforms, the Mariners announced they are launching the Steelheads Community Fund with a $500,000 commitment in support of local Black-led baseball and softball organizations and community initiatives. In a statement release by the team, President of Business Operations Kevin Martinez said:
“We are proud to honor our game’s history and invest in the future of our community with Steelheads Sundays at T-Mobile Park. Through the Steelheads Community Fund, we will celebrate the legacy of the Steelheads, while continuing our long-standing effort to advance access to baseball and softball and well-being for underserved communities in our region.”
This is a significant decision by the Mariners to honor the Steelheads, including such a substantial financial contribution to the local community. Details of how the funds will be accessed and distributed are currently in development with community stakeholders and the fund will be formally launched in early summer.
Josh Naylor honored to wear the Steelheads uniform
Josh Naylor modelled the Steelheads uniform during Saturday at FanFest and is both thrilled at and humbled by the opportunity to wear it throughout the upcoming season. As per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, he said:
“That’s one of the coolest uniforms I’ve ever worn. This is so cool. Having the privilege of wearing it — it’s awesome. … The history behind it is beautiful. And to represent those who wore it — it’s honorable.”
For anyone wanting to get involved in the coming months, there will be a couple of ways to support the cause, including the Mariners’ 50/50 Raffle on Sundays at T-Mobile Park. In addition, a portion of all Steelheads merchandise sales at Mariners Team Stores will benefit the community fund.
Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rogers Photography & Mariners Media
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