Hear It Again: Cheers and jeers — Seattle's year in sports

Today, we’re taking a look back on big moments for Seattle sports fans in 2022.

Locally, the Mariners broke a 21-year playoff drought, Sue Bird played her last game for the Storm, Russell Wilson left for Denver, and the Sounders hosted — and won — the CONCACAF championship.

But internationally, the year kicked off with a controversial Winter Olympics, hosted in China, and ended with a contentious World Cup in Qatar.

At the start of 2022, it was China that was the target of protests. The United States and several other countries even announced that their diplomats would not be attending the Winter Olympics.

The boycott was over several accusations of human rights abuses by the Chinese government, including the genocide of the Uyghur minority in Western China.

That left Soundside producer Sarah Leibovitz wondering: Is it OK to watch? Or do sports fans have an ethical responsibility to look away from the games? She took those questions down to Seattle's Granite Curling Club.

You can listen and read the original story here.

Every comeback needs a spark: That moment when the improbable feels possible.

For the Mariners back in October, it started with a three-run homer by Carlos Santana. Then, the bloop double by J.P. Crawford.

And finally, another double — from Adam Frazier — sealed the deal.

A hush was falling in Toronto, but at T-Mobile Park, thousands of fans stood with shoes on their heads in hopes of inspiring a legendary Mariners come-from-behind win.

The M’s most magical game of the season was their "W" over the Blue Jays to get out of the Wild Card game and into their first playoff series in 21 years. What came after is a little more forgettable — the Mariners ended up losing to the now-World Series champion Houston Astros. But for Ben Cox, the diehard fan who popularized the Mariners rally shoe, this year’s playoff run is something he won’t forget anytime soon.

You can listen and read the original story here.

For fans of women’s soccer in Seattle, it's been a decade-long journey to Lumen Field.

The OL Reign may have OG cred as a founding member of the National Women's Soccer League, but it’s bounced around a lot as a team. It started off playing in Tukwila before moving to Seattle’s Memorial Stadium. Then, Cheney Stadium in Tacoma for three seasons. And finally, back to Seattle.

This October marked the first playoff game for the team at Lumen Field, and more than 21,000 fans filled the seats. KUOW’s Alex Rochester went to the ceremonial matchday to see how the most die-hard of Reign fans are celebrating – and adjusting – to the team’s new home turf.

You can listen and read the original story here.