The 8-7 Seattle Seahawks prepare to face the 8-7 Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday afternoon, as they look to get a step closer to clinching a playoff berth. Major League Baseball star and Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez will look to bring good luck to the team as Week 17 12 Flag Raiser.
The 23-year-old Dominican Republic native signed with the Mariners as an international free agent in 2017, working his way up through the minor leagues before being brought up to the majors in 2022. Rodríguez capped his first season in the pros with the American League Rookie of the Year Award, after posting a .284 batting average, along with 28 home runs, 75 RBI and 25 stolen bases.
In his 2023 sophomore campaign, Rodríguez became the first player in league history to record at least 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in each of his first-two seasons. On the year, Rodríguez batted .275, hitting 33 home runs and stealing 37 bases. For the second-consecutive season, Rodríguez earned the Silver Slugger Award, along with another All-Star game nod.
With a 5-2 record this season at Lumen Field, Seattle will look for help from the 12s - and good luck from their superstar flag raiser.
