Yankees-Mariners '95 ALDS Game 5 with Adam Smith

Rep. Adam Smith joins host Thomas Emerick to talk Mariners fandom as representative for Washington’s 9th Congressional district, and revisit the unforgettable 1995 ALDS between the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees, while drawing parallels to this year’s Game 5 thriller.

They talk about watching both games 30 years apart, how the ‘95 rally helped save baseball in Seattle, and what it was like living through the city’s first true baseball fever. Smith reflects on Griffey’s brilliance, Edgar’s clutch double, and the electricity of the Kingdome, plus how that run set the stage for a new stadium, a new era, and the experience in emergent Seattle in the 1990s when he became the country's youngest state senator and then a new member of Congress after the '96 cycle.

The conversation also touches on his time in the Congressional baseball game, the education package he’s recently introduced, and how Seattle’s sports and civic energy from 1995 still echoes through the city today.

More moments from the 1995 run that led to the American League Divisional Series Game 5 victory: Seattle Mariners 6, New York Yankees 5 (11 innings)

• 11-inning ALDS Game 5 in 1995 parallels to 15-inning ALDS Game 5 in 2025
• Edgar Martinez — “The Double” in ‘95; clutch RBI double and AL batting champ
• Ken Griffey Jr. — walk-off moment scoring from first
• Randy Johnson — came out of bullpen in ‘95 Game 5; ceremonial presence and first-pitch energy in 2015 ALDS; symbol of Mariners grit
• Jay Buhner and Tino Martinez — key bats in '95
• Joey Cora — drag bunt to get tying baserunner on in the 11th
• Alex Rodriguez — young pinch-runner in ‘95 scoring tying run
• Lou Piniella — decision to ride Randy and rallying squad when down 13 games to Angels in August
• Paul O’Neill & Don Mattingly — ‘95 Yankee threats who defined tension in Game 5;
• David Cone — overextended start in Game 5 leading to Seattle rally
• Dan Wilson — future Mariners manager and steady catcher behind the plate with key plate appearance in Game 4
• Tie-breaker vs. Angels in ‘95 — Randy Johnson the stopper comes up huge on short rest

HOST

Show creator and producer Thomas Emerick

Guest

Rep. Adam Smith of Washington's 9th Congressional district (WA-09)

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