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Grandmother’s Mariners ticket invite goes viral
A Thurston County grandmother is inviting strangers to join her at Mariners games, and the idea is going viral. She says sharing her extra seat is helping her heal after the loss of her son.
SEATTLE - If you’re looking for a seat at T-Mobile Park this season, one Thurston County grandmother might have a spot for you.
Rhenda Strub, 70, is a Seattle Mariners superfan with a massive 81-game season ticket plan. The only problem? Her husband isn't quite as keen on the commute from Olympia to Seattle for every home game.
Rather than let the seats go to waste, Strub took to Facebook to find a rotating cast of "plus ones."
She posted her pitch to M's fans on Friday on Facebook.
It has already gone viral, garnering more than 8,000 likes and hundreds of comments from fans across the globe hoping to sit along the first-base line with her.
"Honestly, it astounded me. I still can't wrap my head around it. I don't know what's remarkable about my post," said Strub.
From darkness to the diamond
The backstory:
While the viral post has brought plenty of laughs and new friendships — including her recent guest, Liz Brown — the inspiration behind Strub’s baseball obsession is deeply personal.
Three years ago, Strub’s life changed forever when her son, Wyatt, lost his battle with muscular dystrophy.
"I just collapsed," Strub said. "I went into a very long, deep, dark place."
It was during that period of grief that she began watching Mariners games.
The team became a lifeline, and now, the stadium feels like home. Strub says she isn't just going to the games for the home runs; she’s going for Wyatt.
"I feel like he comes to every game with me," she said.
Finding joy, one series at a time
The other side:
Strub’s "Mariners Ticket Adventure" is her way of reclaiming joy and getting out of the house. Though the seat next to her will be filled by different strangers all season, she keeps the memory of her son at the heart of the experience.
"It has been such a blessing—a blessing I really didn’t expect," Strub said. "I’m finding these fantastic people."
With hundreds of requests pouring in, Strub says she plans to select her companions "per series" to keep the logistics manageable.
What you can do:
If you're lucky enough to be chosen, you'll be sitting in style. Strub’s seats are located just seven rows back, right along the first-base line.
However, be warned: if you aren't rooting for the home team, there might be a catch.
"I might have to impose an opponent tax," Strub laughed.
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The Source: Information in this story comes from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle reporter AJ Janavel.