He’s kind of a rally big deal

Q+A with Seattle Mariners ‘Rally Shoe Guy’ Ben Cox

Seattleite Ben Cox cheers for the Mariners while balancing a Birkenstock sandal on his head.

Ben Cox traveled by bus to the park on Saturday, returning with only one shoe. | Photo courtesy of the Seattle Mariners

Feet don’t fail us now. During the Mariners’ unbelievable Wild Card game comeback Saturday, West Seattleite Ben Cox kicked off an unusual good luck trend at the T-Mobile Park watch party: putting a Birkenstock sandal on his head. 🩴

The gesture now known as “the rally shoe” became a hit — the Mariners even put the sandal in the team’s Hall of Fame. “It has full infamy,” Ben says. “Like it’s more famous than other rally objects in Seattle sports.”

Here’s how the Mariners diehard is tying it all together. ⚾

What gave you the inspiration for the rally shoe?

I go to a lot of Mariners games, and last year, I saw a guy on the Jumbotron put a shoe on his head before a rally started. So, as things were looking bleak [on Saturday] and we were looking for any momentum, that’s how I picked it up.

When did you realize people were following your lead?

As the hits started to fall, it got crazier and crazier. I looked over at my brother-in-law and he’s like, “Dude, there are so many people putting their shoes on ahead. This is ridiculous.” [After the Mariners took the lead], people started putting me up on their shoulders — I’m crowd-surfing at this point. They put me on the Jumbotron. It was really fun.

What happened once you gave the shoe to the Mariners for posterity?

I was a little too amped up, and I just walked out of the stadium barefoot. We went to Slugger’s after. My wife looks at me and she’s like, “You can’t walk around barefoot in Seattle.” So my buddy Matt took off his sock and gave it to me.

Are you going back to T-Mobile this weekend?

I have tickets for Saturday and Sunday [...] gotta keep the superstition going, so I’ll just wear whatever Birks I’m wearing that day. If they’re looking for a rally, or we need a little boost, I’ll try to get it going.

Click here to have your event featured.

Thursday, October 13

Choir Boy | Thu., Oct. 13 - Sun., Oct. 23 | 2 p.m. | ACT - A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, Seattle | $5.00 - $79.00 | This play from the Oscar-winning writer of “Moonlight” was a Broadway hit with riveting gospel and R&B performances.
Witch Crafts: Spooky Art Show | Thu., Oct. 13 | 5-9 p.m. | Passable, 1005 E Union St, Seattle | Free | Stock up on spooky decor + craft your own corn doll at the maker space.

Friday, October 14

New Order & Pet Shop Boys - The Unity Tour | Fri., Oct. 14 | 7 p.m. | Climate Pledge Arena, 334 1st Ave N, Seattle | $59.50 - $249.50 | Two legendary 80s New Wave groups join forces for an epic show.
Poe Unexpected | Fri., Oct. 14 - Sat., Oct. 15 | 7-8:15 p.m. | Unexpected Productions’ Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, Seattle | $15.00 | Improv based on classic Edgar Allen Poe stories that will lift your telltale heart.

Saturday, October 15

Kingcon NW 2022 | Sat., Oct. 15 - Sun., Oct. 16 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Renton Pavilion Events Center, 233 Burnett Ave S, Renton | $10.00 - $45.00 | Nerd out with cosplayers, Lego displays, robots + a local clan of Mandalorians at Renton’s version of Comic Con.
Naked Brunch | Sat., Oct. 15 | 3:30 p.m. | The Red Velvet Lounge, 2322 2nd Ave., Seattle | This all-improvised open mic should keep audiences on their toes.

Sunday, October 16

Brews ‘n Board Games | Sun., Oct. 16 | 1-8 p.m. | Snapshot Brewing, 8005 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle | Grab a board game and enjoy an all-day happy hour.
Latin Fire | Sun. Oct. 16 | 2 p.m. | Benaroya Hall, Seattle | $25.00 - $117.00 | Listen to Latin American orchestra hits that highlight the talents of Costa Rican trumpeter José Sibaja and vocalist Mónica Ábrego.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Help us find Seattle’s coolest crow 🪶

On the Hunt for Seattle’s Coolest Crow

A crow with a slightly damaged beak sits on a wire

Becky is a White Center resident and totally cooler than us. | Photo by Samantha Burton

Have you been following all the uproar about Alaska’s Fat Bear Week? After a voting scandal, the competition crowned a champion this week: No. 747.

We’re happy for the big guy and everything, but here in Seattle we’re less about plump ursine — and all about winged magnificence.

That’s why we’re launching our own local wildlife competition to find Seattle’s Coolest Crow.

As you know, those bodacious birds are everywhere, but only a handful are truly chill. So we’d love for you to send in a photo of your fave neighborhood crow, what their name is, and why you think they deserve the ultimate prize.

For example, that cool chick above is Beaky. She lives in White Center, sells artisanal spiced honey at local farmers markets, and claims to have dated Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament in the 90s.

We’re not sure if Beaky will make the final cut, but send in your nominees by Thurs., Oct. 27 — ‘tis the season for crowing about our mysterious, fine-feathered friends.

Weather

74º | Mostly sunny | 7% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:25 a.m.
Set: 6:24 p.m.

Cause

The Bezos family announced it’s donating $710.5 million to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center over the next decade. That cash will help the South Lake Union-based organization in recruitment, facilities, clinical infrastructure, and expanding immunotherapy research. 🔬 (Fred Hutch)

Civic

The City of Seattle will lift its COVID-19 state of emergency on Mon., Oct. 31. While several restrictions have already been rolled back, policies such as hazard pay for food delivery drivers will end unless the council votes to make them permanent. Vaccine mandates for city employees will remain in effect. (Seattle Times)

Closed

Bon voyage to a fishy favorite — after 35 years in business, Ballard Brothers Seafood has closed. The restaurant was once a divey fixture on 15th Avenue NW, hosting “Deadliest Catch” stars and winning local food awards. No word yet on what will happen to the location. (My Ballard)

Sports

Seahawks legend Marshawn Lynch has joined Amazon Prime’s “Thursday Night Football” broadcast team. Lynch will appear in pre-game features — exploring the city where the game is taking place — starting tonight in Chicago for the Commanders vs. Bears match-up at 5:15 p.m. 🏈 (Field Gulls)

Development

Put a lid on it. Montlake is making significant progress on a giant platform above Highway 520 that will support a bus station, high-occupancy vehicle ramps, greenery + walkways. The work is expected to be finished in early 2024 — coinciding with a separate pedestrian and bicycle bridge. 🚧 (Seattle Times)

Award

UW computer science professor Yejin Choi recently received a $800,000 “genius grant” from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Professor Choi’s expertise is in the field of natural language processing, and she researches ways to improve artificial intelligence. 🤖 (GeekWire)

Eat

Pie hard with a vengeance. Star chef Brendan McGill is transforming his downtown restaurant Bar Taglio into pizzeria + trattoria Bar Solea. The new place will open on Tues., Nov. 1 serving neo-Neapolitan pizza — a modern take on a classic that involves locally grown, milled grains. 🍕

Theater

Two local theaters are including Spanish captions at new performances to make plays more accessible. You’ll see them at Sound Theatre’s production of “Cloud Tectonics” through Fri., Oct. 15, and Book-It Repertory Theatre’s “In the Time of the Butterflies” from Fri., Oct.15-Sat., Oct. 16. (Crosscut)

Number

$30,000. That’s the signing bonus South West is currently offering Licensed Plumbers. Interested? See details + apply. *

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Go bananas over these foodie brands 🍌

Go bananas over these 30+ foodie brands

Just one of these local, specialty foods on your table will impress your dinner guests. | Graphic by SEAtoday

We polled City Editors across our parent company, 6AM City, about foodie brands they love. The result? A list of mouthwatering food products ranging from SC Lowcountry’s favorite biscuits to a line of vegan dipping sauces that hail from San Diego.

Bitchin’ Sauce (San Diego, CA) | A line of creamy, almond-based dips that pair well with all of your favorite savory foods. | We love: Chipotle Bitchin’ Sauce

Dave’s Killer Bread (Portland, OR) | Breads, bagels, english muffins, and hamburger buns packed with whole grains and organic ingredients. | We love: Raisin’ the Roof cinnamon raisin bread

Seattle Elderberry (Seattle, WA) | Immunity-supporting products with organic ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. | We love: Elderberry Syrup with Honey

Siete Foods (Austin, TX) | Grain free Mexican American products like almond flour tortillas, dairy free queso, and vegan charro beans. | We love: Grain Free Lime Tortilla Chips

27 MORE FOODIE BRANDS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Gabe.

Editor’s pick: In case you’re in the market for a winged-wolf candleholder or bronze skull — and who isn’t — I’d recommend heading to Gargoyles Statuary in the U District.

The devilishly delightful destination is celebrating its 30th anniversary — and is a one-stop shop for all kinds of Halloween-friendly oddities. Be sure to order your custom-made fangs well in advance. 🦇

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Check out some of the scariest haunted houses in the area.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Alina Hunter-Grah, Gabe Guarente, Trevor Peters, Britt Thorson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Jennifer Fikso | Advertise with us.

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