6. Seattle wins 1995 ALDS (76 letters)
It's something of a tradition in Seattle. ... Our Mariners might not be doing so well, but damnit, we hate the Yankees with everything in us! Even when we beat them, we hate them. We'd dance jigs on top of them if we could.

I had just started my senior year of high school, in fall 1995. Inexplicably, the M's were on their way to actually getting into the playoffs. After a stunning one-game playoff against the then-California Angels, we were off to the ALDS against the Yankees. Cue the ominous cellos.

I will never, ever forget the sight of a then-rookie A-Rod standing in the on-deck circle, screaming like a mad thing as Ken Griffey Jr. sprinted around the basepaths like a bat out of hell, sliding into home to complete what was the most unexpected -- and delightful -- eventuality. Bye-bye Yankees, hello M's. The ensuing pileup on top of Griffey was pure baseball bliss.

It doesn't matter much that all three of our much-vaunted superstars left in the seasons thereafter. That moment is still one of the biggest highs for any Mariners fan and any true Yankee-hater.
Devon Walton
Nampa, Idaho

	Edgar Martinez was the toast of Seattle, while the Yankees drowned their sorrows in 1995.

I was at this game and have never experienced anything even close to the electricity that was in the Kingdome that day.

When Randy Johnson came strolling out of the bullpen to "Welcome to the Jungle", music blaring, the crowd erupting -- I had chills running down my spine. Then when Edgar Martinez roped the double down the line, I just focused on Ken Griffey. I swear, he never ran so fast in his life. The game was awesome ... and the fact the Yankees were on the other end was the icing on the cake.
Mike Pirollo
Woodinville, Wash.

I will never forget how I felt watching Edgar double down the line. I can see it in my head. I can hear Brent Musburger call, "Grif-feeeyy's flying around third!" and the delirium that ensued.

The rest of the series was unbelievable too, including the 15-inning Game 2 loss for the M's and Seattle's comeback from a five-run deficit in Game 4 on an Edgar grand slam. The Yankees must have felt that they had finally triumphed after getting a run off the unhittable Big Unit in the top of the 11th in Game 5 ... only to be stunned by Edgar's heroics.

It was a thoroughly glorious win for the Mariners in their first ever playoff appearance and a demoralizing loss for the Yankees. And (as if we forgot) ... it led to the retirement of Don Mattingly without ever playing in a World Series.
Justin Hunt
Seattle