The Seattle Mariners have a knack for creating truly unique fan experiences at T-Mobile Park.
From the “Bad Dancer” to being a cradle for “The Wave,” the franchise truly captures what a baseball fan experience should be. But their latest? It might just take the cake. Or, in this instance, take the hot dog.
“The first time we threw those parachutes back in April, we heard the crowd erupt, and we knew right then we had a hit,” said Tyler Thompson, Mariners senior manager of game entertainment and experiential marketing.
Yes, “Hot Dogs from Heaven” took Seattle and all of Major League Baseball by storm. It started in earnest back in April, but, in reality, the idea was born much sooner.
The beauty of it, other than the serene image of parachutes carrying tasty treats to fans below, is no matter the score or whatever else may be going on. For about 90 seconds between innings, the world within the ballpark stops and is nothing short of euphoric.
Proof of this, the night we visited was the first night Dan Wilson was the new Mariners manager. If you recall, heading into the eighth inning, the Mariners trailed 5-1. Hot dogs rained down from heaven, or the third deck at T-Mobile Park, and the Mariners rallied for the win.
Coincidence? Maybe. But probably not. But in all seriousness, the energy of the ballpark changes in an instant, with fans giddy with excitement for this unique and fun adventure.
“It’s probably the most beautiful and cool thing we’ve ever seen. Hot dogs just raining down from the sky. And that song playing? It’s perfect. It’s life-changing. I had to do it,” said Gwen from Seattle, who has a tattoo on her ankle of a hot dog from heaven – a Mariners logo on a parachute attached to a hot dog.
That song is “Heaven is a Place on Earth” by Belinda Carlisle, which the Mariners play during this fun segment. The Mariners told us Carlisle is aware and loves it, with a possible collaboration coming in the future.
Other world-class acts have already seen it and joined the Mariners in the fun.
Chris Stapleton played at T-Mobile Park in July. He saw, and of course loved, the segment on social media. So, the collaboration was a done deal, with the Mariners attaching small LED lights to the parachutes so fans could see them in the dark at night without baseball lights on for a concert. Of course, the hot dogs were launched during Stapleton’s song “Parachute.”
There’s no denying the lovability of the segment and the energy it brings.
A Mariners fan named Katie from Seattle celebrated her birthday with loved ones on “Hot Dogs from Heaven Night,” and Katie dressed in a hot dog costume. As she says, “I love hot dogs. I’m from heaven, so we get along very well because we’re both from the same area.”
Seeing Katie get to be the featured hot dog thrower during that win over the Giants was nothing short of special. It’s amazing to see such a fun and probably silly idea that gives so much joy to people. And we could all use a little extra joy in everyday life.
It also highlights the genius of the Mariners’ front office. After all, how the heck did they come up with this? And how could they come up with yet another sensation to take the baseball world by storm? We all hope the Mariners make a run to the playoffs. That’s the goal.
But make no mistake, another goal is making sure every fan that goes through those turnstiles has the experience of a lifetime. Something they’ll never forget.
On that front? Mission accomplished.
The Mariners, once again, gave their fans something so unique that they’ll never experience it in another ballpark again.
No matter the night, the opponent, or even the score, they’ll never forget that game they went to with hot dogs raining down from heaven.
