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Dear Mariners,

First of all, thank you for this postseason.

It has been a long time since I was this invested in baseball.

More from Dave Ross: 21 years of losing hasn’t stopped the M’s, one playoff loss won’t either

I found myself listening to baseball games all the way through – because, unlike in years past, you couldn’t be sure the game was over… until it was over.

On Saturday, I got so carried away that I actually took off one of my new Keen Comfort-Fit Walkers and put it on my head in the bottom of the ninth, not realizing it would be nine innings too early.

But most of all, I want to thank you for the statement you made.

Which is that Seattle, once again, has a functioning major-league baseball team. I know this because even though I still can’t tell the difference between a slider and a curveball, for the first time in about 20 years, I can actually recite many of the players’ names without having to look them up.

J.P. Crawford. Julio Rodriguez. Logan Gilbert. Ty France. Mitch Haniger. Cal Raleigh. I haven’t been able to rattle off that many sports names since Edgar Martinez and Ken Griffey, Jr.

You are a team that doesn’t need major surgery, major rebuilding, re-imagining, or a youth movement.

You’ve still got that new car feel. Maybe it needs a little detailing after the rough ride, but it’s ready for the next trip.

So I have just one request… It’s a long time until April. Please take care of yourselves.

Grip the banister when you use the stairs, always have a  non-slip mat in the shower, look both ways before crossing, stay away from sketchy-looking bus stops, and don’t run with sharp objects.

And, yes, go ahead and pursue your hobbies, but they should be safe hobbies. Low-voltage model trains are good; jigsaw puzzles can be fun… But no freestyle skiing, no free soloing on El Capitan.

If you must go outdoors at all, I hear that the Olympic Sculpture Park can get the juices flowing, or you might try sailing on a calm day on Lake Sammamish in a wet suit wearing a life jacket accompanied by a fully-licensed sailing instructor.

Just make sure we see all of you safe and healthy come next April.

Thank you.

Listen to Seattle’s Morning News with Dave Ross and Colleen O’Brien weekday mornings from 5 – 9 a.m. on ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.