Brian D. Oakes - Creative, Graphic Artist, Illustrator, Photographer
Brian D. Oakes - Creative, Graphic Artist, Illustrator, Photographer
T-Mobile Park, Seattle Mariners. Seattle, Washington

From Southern California to Seattle: How I Became a Mariners Fan by Dana Patera | Coming Home: Fan Memories

My Baseball Story

Shared Memories From

Dana Patera

Hometown

Carlsbad, California

In the late ’90s, my neighbor was the first person on the block to get satellite TV. Back then, you didn’t get local channels or regional networks, but she was able to watch all the Seattle Mariners games (we lived in Southern California), and she would always invite me over.

She’d call me on the phone—yes, a corded phone—and ask me to come watch the games with her. We’d sit together and cheer on Griffey, Edgar, and Wilson, just to name a few. I also loved the team’s logo back then, and I still do to this day.

My first memory of seeing the Mariners in person was in Anaheim, California, against the Angels. Unfortunately, we lost that game—but that didn’t matter. Thanks to my neighbor, I became a lifelong Seattle Mariners fan. I’ve watched them every season since, without fail.

🔱Tridents up!

Nine Questions For Nine Innings

Favorite Team

Seattle Mariners

All-Time Favorite Player

Ichiro Suzuki

First Game Attended

Seattle Mariners @ Anaheim Angels

Favorite Ballpark

T-Mobile Park

Favorite In Person Memory

Most Cherished Memorabilia

Sitting in the nose bleed section behind home plate with a large group of all my friends from Seattle

Go-To Ballpark Food

Hotdogs, of course!

Favorite Seating Section

Favorite Baseball Movie

Major League, because the owner reminds me of Brian when he finally saw a Mariners win.

create your own fan memories

Fan memories shared on my site are written by baseball fans just like you. My stadium book, Coming Home: A Baseball Stadium Journal for Fans, includes a special link to my website where you can share your story with fellow baseball fans.

Sports Stadiums Mentioned In This Article

  • T-Mobile Park Print, Artist Drawn Baseball Stadium, Seattle Mariners Baseball

    T-Mobile Park Print – Seattle Mariners Canvas Wall Art, Baseball Stadium Decor

    Price range: $38.00 through $298.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • T-Mobile Park High Gloss Coated, Cork-Backed Drink Coaster, Seattle Mariners Baseball

    T-Mobile Park Drink Coaster – Seattle Mariners Baseball, High Gloss Cork-Backed Design

    Price range: $15.00 through $40.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • Angel Stadium Print, Artist Drawn Baseball Stadium, Los Angeles Angels Baseball

    Angel Stadium Print – Los Angeles Angels Canvas Wall Art, Baseball Stadium Decor

    Price range: $38.00 through $298.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • Angel Stadium Cork Back Coaster, Los Angeles Angels Baseball

    Angel Stadium Drink Coaster – Los Angeles Angels Baseball, High Gloss Cork-Backed Design

    Price range: $15.00 through $40.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

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Picture of Brian D. Oakes

Brian D. Oakes

Brian D. Oakes is an artist known for his intricate depictions of sports stadiums. A lifelong New Yorker, he relocated to Seattle in 2022, inspired by the city’s architecture, specifically the Space Needle. His passion for landmarks like the Chrysler Building and Brooklyn Bridge shapes his artistic approach. Brian has collaborated with major sports leagues and teams, but a defining moment in his career was working on the creative designs and stadium naming rights presentations for Seattle’s new football stadium. This experience solidified his belief in the deep connection between stadiums and the memories they hold, shaping his unique blend of art and architecture.

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