She Refused to Miss Opening Day: How Angie Mentink Fought Back From a Stroke
Angie Mentink had one goal this offseason, and it wasn't about rest or recovery. After suffering a stroke on February 21, the Mariners broadcaster made it crystal clear: she was going to be in that booth for opening day. No exceptions. No delays. And on Saturday, March 28 at T-Mobile Park, she was exactly where she belonged.
A Finish Line Called Opening Day
Here's the thing about being a broadcaster: you live for opening day. It's the reset button. It's hope. And for Mentink, it became her target. While most people in her situation would've taken the whole season easy, she turned opening day into a finish line. That's the kind of determination that defines a true professional who loves this game and this city.
The Mariners faced off against the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday night in front of the home crowd, and Mentink was ready to call the action. After everything she'd been through in the offseason, just being back in the booth was a massive victory in itself.
A Tough Way to Start
The Mariners didn't do Mentink any favors on her return, though. Cleveland took the game 6 to 5, but there were bright spots. Cole Young went deep for Seattle, Luke Raley added his own homer, and George Kirby delivered a quality start on the mound. Sometimes that's baseball: you play well in pieces but come up short in the final score.
But that loss? It wasn't what mattered most on Saturday. What mattered was that Angie Mentink, a woman who could've been anywhere else recovering, chose to be exactly where she needed to be: calling the game she loves for the fans who needed her there.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.